UAB6 


1870 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
AT   LOS  ANGELES 


ROBERT  ERNEST  COWAN 


(-*••*} 


41ST  COX<;IM:SS, 
3d  tieMion. 


- 

LETTER 


THE   SECRETARY  OF   WAR, 


(  OM.MCMCATIM; 


In  compliance  icith  the  resolution  of  the  ticnat<>  of  June  13,  1870,  a  copy  of 
the  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  /Samuel  7>.  Ifolabird,  of  a  reconnaissance 
•made  by  Mm  in  the  Department  of  Dakota,  in  1800. 


DECEMBER 31.  18/0. — Ordered  to  lie  on  the  table  and  be  printed. 

1 

, _ _ 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 

December  20,  1870. 

The  Secretary  of  War,  in  obedience  to  the  resolution  of  June  13,  1870, 
has  the  honor  to  submit  to  the  Senate  of  the  United  States  a  copy  of 
the  report  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Samuel  B.  Holabird,  chief  quarter- 
master of  the  Department  of  Dakota,  of  a  reconuoissance  made  by  him 
us  in  his  department  in  the  year  1869,  with  accompanying  maps. 
g  WM.  W.  BELKXAP, 

*"•  Secretary  of  War. 


9 

S        DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA,  OFFICE  CHIEF  QUARTERMASTER, 
sg  Saint  Paul,  Minn.,  October  la,  18G9. 

^  GENERAL:  In  obedience  to  instructions  from  the  department  coni- 
Snander,  I  have  the  honor  to  report  upon  the  result  of  my  inspection  as 
follows : 

FORT  ELLIS. 

Fort  Ellis  is  situated  in  the  valley  of  the  East  Gallatin,  seventy  miles 
northeast  of  Virginia  City,  one  hundred  and  three  miles  a  little  east  of 
south  from  Helena,  and  twenty-five  miles  from  the  Yellowstone  River 
by  the  road.  The  forks  of  the  Missouri,  where  the  great  river  itself  is 
formed,  is  forty  miles  distant.  A  range  of  mountains  running  first  north 
and  south,  and  then  throwing  off  spurs  to  the  eastward,  separates  the 
valleys  of  the  streams,  forming  the  Missouri  River  from  the  Yellow- 
stone and  its  tributaries.  Through  these  mountains  there  are  but  few 
passes,  and  this  post  is  placed  with  the  view  of  closing  at  least  two  of 
them,  and  affecting  as  far  as  may  be  the  third  and  last  one. 

The  valley  in  which  the  post  is  built  is  very  fertile,  and  is  fast  filling 
with  settlements.  A  promising  town,  Bozemah,  is  growing  up  within  three 
miles  of  the  post  below  it.  Upon  either  side  of  the  valley,  the  hills,  or 
mountains  they  may  be  termed,  rise  to  a  considerable  height,  although 
some  of  them  are  rounded  and  grassy  to  their  tops.  These  broken, 

1 | oooo 


2      RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

mound-like  ranges  add  irreat  beauty  and  variety  to  the  scenery  of  the 
valley.  The  East  Gallatiu,  a  stream  of  clear  cold  water,  with  small 
tributaries  of  cold  water,  flows  within  a  thousand  feet  of  the  post,  over 
auriferous  gravel  about  the  post,  and  through  a  rich  bottom  land  just 
below  it.  where  are  located  the  post  gardens,  which 'produce  abundant 
vegetables.  Extensive  pine  forests,  furnishing  tine  logs  for  lumber. 
exist  within  twelve  miles  of  the  post.  Sufficient  wood  for  fuel  is  found 
within  a  radius  of  from  four  to  six  miles.  Large  coal  beds  of  easy  access 
are  found  within  four  miles  of  the  post,  which  furnish  a  light,  lustrous 
coal,  suitable  for  fuel  and  for  use  in  blacksmiths'  forges.  This  coal  can 
be  mined  and  delivered  at  a  cost  of  86  or  $8  per  ton,  and  after  a  while 
perhaps  at  lower  rates.  Limestone  is  found  convenient  in  sufficient 
quantities  for  all  practical  purposes,  (.'lay  for  brick  and  adobes,  and 
sharp  sand  for  mortar,  gravel,  &c.,  abound. 

The  buildings  are  roughly  constructed  of  pine  logs  laid  upon  each 
other  or  "filled  in-between  vertical  posts  horizontally,  spaces  being 
left  for  doors  and  windows.  The  interspaces  between  the  logs  are  irreg- 
ularly tilled  with  mortar.  The  rooms  are  finished  with  panel  doors  and 
pine  casing,  baseboards,  &c.  Strong  ceiling  joists  are  laid  or  built  in 
above  each  room,  rough  boards  are  laid  upon  them,  and  these  boards 
are  covered  with  a  layer  of  several  inches  of  rammed  earth  to  give 
warmth  to  the  building  by  taking  the  place  of  ceiling.  The  roofs  are 
of  short  slips  of  boards  laid  on  in  the  manner  of  shingles,  but  with  about 
twice  the  length  of  a  shingle  exposed,  forming  an  imperfect  covering. 
One  of  the  officers'  quarters  is  regularly  shingled  with  pine  shingles, 
forming  a  perfect  roof.  Little  attention  has  thus  far  been  paid  to  ven- 
tilation, and  orders  had  to  be  given  to  ventilate  the  storehouses  and 
stables. 

Storeage  cannot  be  said  to  be  abundant,  although  it  may  answer  the 
present  wants  of  the  post.  A  good  granary  building  is  constructed 
outside,  near  the  stables  and  corral.  The  stables  are  of  logs  covered 
with  earth,  and  lack  feed-troughs,  hay-racks,  and  many  other  devices 
to  economize  the  public  forage. 

It  is  the  general  judgment  of  all  intelligent  persons  that  a  better  site 
for  a  post  exists  but  a  short  distance  from  the  present  one,  upon  higher 
ground.  Fort  Ellis  is  contracted  in  the  arrangement  of  the  quarters, 
and  is  inclosed  closely  by  an  unnecessarily  high  stockade,  excluding  the 
air,  and  making  the  place  seem  more  like  a  prison  than  a  military  post. 
Much  of  this  stockade  w  ill  have  to  be  thrown  down  in  the  future  enlarge- 
ment and  use  of  the  post.  For  the  disposition  of  the  buildings,  &c.,  see 
plan  herewith.  Good  water,  as  already  mentioned,  runs  within  a  thou- 
sand feet  of  the  post. 

Forage. — Grain  and  hay  are  both  procured  by  contract.  Grain  ought 
to  cost  not  over  5  cents  per  pound,  and  hay  about  *15  per  ton.  Mis- 
cellaneous articles  purchased  in  the  country  cost  from  300  to  500  per 
cent,  above  Chicago  and  St.  Louis  prices. 

Captain  Constable,  assistant  quartermaster  L^uited  States  Army,  act- 
ing under  the  instructions  of  the  district  commander,  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel George  L.  Andrews,  purchased  without  advertising,  and  of  course 
without  competition,  500,000  pounds  of  grain,  at  10  cents  per  pound ; 
and  300  tons  of  hay,  at  $32  50  per  ton.  Only  300,000  pounds  of  grain 
were  delivered.  In  my  opinion,  this  purchase  was  a  very  bad  one,  and 
indicates  that  little  discretion  in  such  matters  can  safely  be  given  to 
officers  generally.  There  was  sufficient  time  to  advertise".  A  contract 
was  made  immediately  after  for  1,000,000  pounds  of  grain,  to  be  deliv- 
ered at  Ellis,  at  an  average  rate  of  four  cents  two  and  one-tenth  mills 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.      6 

per  pound,  and  125  tons  of  hay,  at  $16  74  per  ton.  The  hay  purchased 
by  Captain  Constable  was  old  hay  left  over  from  last  year.  A  contract 
for  1,000  cords  of  wood,  at  $6  72  per  cord,  was  also  made  by  this  officer 
for  the  current  fiscal  year.  Authority  was  given  by  the  department 
commander  to  purchase  coal  for  blacksmiths'  use  and  for  trial  for  fuel. 

The  cost  of  civilian  labor  the  last  year,  including  hire  of  mule  and  ox 
teams,  has-been  $24,782  13;  of  enlisted  labor,  $1,781  10.  Cost  of  post 
for  labor  and  building  materials  last  year,  $35,261  23.  Employe's  now 
authorized:  1  clerk,  at  $125;  6  carpenters,  at  $75;  1  blacksmith,  at 
$75;  1  guide,  at  $75;  1  engineer,  at  $125.  Number  of  extra  duty  men. 
at  this  date,  16 ;  number  of  mules,  53 ;  of  organized  teams,  7.  Four 
more  were  ordered  to  the  post.  Number  of  horses  in  good  condition, 
63 ;  quartermaster's  funds  transferred  the  past  year  to  the  quartermas- 
ter, $9,500. 

The  best  route  of  supply  for  this  post  during  the  season  of  navigation 
will  be  via  the  Muscleshell  River.  At  present  the  hauling  is  done  from 
Fort  Ben  ton,  distance  as  follows  : 

Miles. 

From  Fort  Benton  to  Helena 140 

From  Helena  to  Fort  Ellis . .  ...   103 


Total    243 

Direct,  without  going  to  Helena. ...    241 


To  supply  this  post  via  the  Pacific  Railroad  would  give  hauling 

from  Corrine,  upon  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  to  Virginia  City . .  330 
From  Virginia  City  to  Fort  Ellis 70 


Total  .  ...  400 


The  hauling  by  ox  teams  over  the  road  would  cost  $1  25  per  100 
pounds  per  100  miles  in  the  best  season,  and  $1  50  per  100  pounds  per 
100  miles  with  horse  or  mule  teams.  From  Bentou  to  Ellis,  in  the  haul- 
ing season,  by  present  contract,  the  price  per  100  pounds  per  100  miles 
is  $1  58. 

No  other  buildings  than  those  now  authorized  are  recommended  to 
be  constructed  at  Fort  Ellis,  for  the  reason  that  these  will  suffice  for  the 
present.  The  country  is  settling  so  rapidly  that  the  post  will  be  of 
little  use  except  as  a  depot  to  collect  supplies,  and  one  company  will  be 
a  sufficient  guard  in  such  case. 

It  is  of  the  first  importance  to  occupy  the  country  between  the  Yel- 
lowstone and  the  Missouri,  entirely  inclosed  by  those  rivers,  except  over 
a  space  of  from  fifteen  to  twenty-five  miles.  Across  this  country  a  road 
to  Helena  from  below  Grande  Island  shoal  in  the  Missouri,  and  above 
the  Muscleshell,  is  required ;  and  this  road  will  have  to  be  protected  at 
or  near  its  starting  point  on  the  Missouri,  and  probably  wherever  it 
forks  for  the  Gallatin  Valley. 

A  post  in  the  valley  of  the  Yellowstone  will  draw  settlements  east- 
ward into  this  country,  and  be  of  use  in  opening  up  the  country,  and 
will  effectually  put  an  end  to  the  discussion  in  regard  to  the  Flathead, 
Bridger's,  and  the  other  passes  into  the  Gallatin  Valley,  by  closing  them 
to  the  Indians.  » 

FORT   SHAW 

is  situated  in  the  valley  of  Sun  River,  called  the  Medicine  by  Lewis  and 


4      RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

Clarke,  about  fifteen  miles  from  the  Missouri  in  a  direct  line,  and  about 
fifty  miles  from  Cadotte's  Pass,  directly  west  of  it  through  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  It  is  forty-five  miles  from  the  Indian  agency  upon  the 
Teton.  and  about  four  miles  from  the  Sun  River  erossing  of  the  main 
road  from  P.enton  to  Helena,  sixty  miles  from  IJcnton  and  eighty  miles 
from  Helena. 

This  post  was  established  to  shut  out  Indians  crossing  from  the  west- 
ward and  north  ward,  and  since  it  was  established  the  country  has  filled 
up  with  settlers  below  the  post  on  the  Sun  River  to  a  considerable 
extent.  The  valley  of  Sun  River  is  wide,  flat,  and  well  covered  with 
grass.  The  soil  is  alkaline.  The  Sun  River  is  a  clear  stream  of  cold 
water,  not  pure,  but  having  considerable  alkali  in  it.  It  answers  very 
well  for  use.  Wood  is  better  than  has  been  represented  heretofore  by 
the  local  quartermaster,  and  ought  never  to  cost  over  89  per  cord. 
Hay  depends  upon  the  season,  and  will  generally  cost  about  620  per 
ton. 

The  quarters  at  this  post  are  well  planned  for  temporary  buildings. 
The  officers'  quarters  are  more  highly  finished  than  is  necessary.  There 
have  been  faults  in  construction,  as  follows :  The  ceilings,  joists,  and 
roof  timbers  were  made  too  light  for  the  load  placed  upon  them,  and  all 
have  settled  out  of  shape,  and  in  some  instances  the  timbers  have  given 
way.  One  entire  building,  marked  on  the  plan  H,  with  tongued  and 
grooved  flooring,  is  used  for  offices,  by  a  kind  of  multiplication,  of  dis- 
trict, post,  &c.,  offices.  Much  of  this  building,  by  confining  the  offices 
to  the  regulation  allowance,  might  be  used  for  storage  or  for  quarters. 
A  baud  has  separate  quarters,  although  no  band  is  allowed  by  law. 
The  prison-room,  so  much  required,  and  to  finish  which  lime  was  pur- 
chased, (see  Captain  Constable's  report  upon  lime  purchased,)  is  unfin- 
ished. The  granary  is  unfinished.  Considerable  lumber  is  on  hand — how 
much  was  not  known.  It  is  a  practice  at  all  the  posts  to  take  up  and 
account  for  nothing  made  at  the  post.  Therefore  entire  posts  are  built  by 
mechanics,  civilians,  and  enlisted  labor,  and  the  use  of  steam-mills,  and 
no  record  of  the  material  manufactured  nor  of  the  work  done  is  kept. 
This  is  all  objectionable,  as  no  opinion  can  be  formed  of  the  result  eco- 
nomically, and  no  supervision  can  be  exercised.  The  Government  has 
no  record  of  value  received  for  its  labor  that  is  hired  and  paid  for.  No 
intelligent  opinion  can  be  formed  upon  estimates  for  building  material  or 
upon  demands  for  additional  civilian  labor. 

Fuel. — There  were  on  hand  965  cords  of  wood  by  measurement,  some 
300  cords  not  being  on  the  returns.  (Here  it  may  be  remarked  that 
there  seems  to  be  a  disposition  to  accumulate  a  surplus  at  posts  even 
where  such  surplus  cannot  be  made  available,  for  the  benefit  of  con- 
tractors and  those  in  league  with  them.  Fuel  and  forage  never  issued 
or  fed  is  constantly  returned  for,  and  in  this  there  is  constant  violation 
of  the  regulations  at  most  of  the  posts.)  There  is  a  contract  with  J.  B. 
Hubbell  for  2,000  cords  of  wood  for  the  use  of  this  post,  at  $8  98  per 
cord  ;  this  wood  was  being  delivered.  The  wood  at  the  post  was  found 
to  be  of  as  good  quality  as  at  the  other  posts  on  the  Missouri  River,  and 
in  this  particular  the  previous  reports  of  Captain  N.  S.  Constable  upon 
this  subject  were  found  to  be  in  a  manner  inaccurate. 

Forage. — There  was  represented  to  be  on  hand  135,660  pounds  of  corn, 
and  9,955  pounds  of  oats ;  but  from  an  inspection  there  was  manifestly 
a  large  surplus  not  upon  the  accounts ;  this  was  ordered  to  be  taken  up, 
and  the  grain  to  be  delivered  by  the  contractor  was  ordered  to  be  put 
for  inspection  of  the  board  in  a  separate  building  until  it  had  been  in- 
spected and  weighed.  There  is  a  contract  for  1,000,000  of  pounds  of 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.      5 

grain,  at  an  average  rate  of  five  cents  five  and  one  quarter  mills  per 
pound,  to  be  delivered  at  this  post,  and  a  contract  with  E.  W.  Sims  for 
400  tons  of  hay,  at  $16  75  per  ton.  Mr.  Sims  seemed  to  be  opposed 
strongly  by  the  post  authorities,  and  has  since  thrown  up  his  contract. 
Hay  only  is  required  for  a  few  months  in  winter,  and  the  few  animals 
kept  in  stable  at  times;  for  the  grazing  is  abundant,  and  near  the  post, 
and  there  is  no  pretext  for  a  constant  and  general  issue  of  hay  which  is 
not  fed  out. 

Straw. — Hay  is  used  in  lieu  of  stra  w. 

Stationery  is  furnished  from  the  depot  in  St.  Louis. 

Building  material. — Stone  in  abundance,  of  good  quality,  easy  to  dress, 
it  being  a  soft  sandstone,  is  found  at  a  distance  of  three  miles.  It  is  rep- 
resented that  there  is  no  good  limestone  nearer  than  Helena.  This 
matter  ought  to  be  investigated  further. 

Adobes  are  used  for  the  quarters,  which  will  have  to  be  stuccoed  or 
clapboarded  eventually.  Bricks  may  be  readily  manufactured  for 
chimneys.  The  lime  is  purchased  and  hauled  from  Helena  at  a  cost  of 
4  or  5  cents  per  pound;  sharp  sand  is  abundant.  Coal,  for  blacksmith's 
use,  and  possibly  for  fuel,  is  reported  to  exist  from  nine  to  fifteen  miles 
from  the  post,  upon  the  Dearborn  River.  This  subject  has,  as  yet, 
received  no  attention  at  Fort  Shaw.  Examinations  for  coal  ought  to  be 
made. 

Clothing  and  camp  and  garrison  equipage  are  abundant,  and  well 
cared  for. 

Tools  and  miscellaneous  property  in  excessive  abundance,  as  was 
found  to  be  the  case  at  every  post,  especially  iron.  The  property  of  this 
kind  comes  from  St.  Louis,  and  all  received  this  year  was  uniformly  re- 
ported to  be  of  good  quality  and  received  in  good  order.  Heating  and 
cook-stoves  have  been  required  at  all  the  posts,  much  in  excess  of  their 
wants,  and  are  of  good  pattern,  and  received  in  good  order. 

There  was  a  fine  saw-mill  at  this  post,  which  was  ordered  to  Fort  Ellis, 
to  saw  into  lumber  the  2,000  logs  at  that  post.  The  mill  at  Camp  Cooke 
was  ordered  to  Fort  Shaw  to  cut  the  logs — 200,000  feet — authorized  to 
finish  the  hospital,  granary,  guard-house,  &c.  There  were  author- 
ized the  following  mechanics:  1  engineer  and  sawyer,  at  $125;  5  plas- 
terers, (for  three  months  only,)  $130;  1  blacksmith,  $100;  7  carpenters,  1 
at  $125,  and  6  at  $90;  1  guide  and  interpreter,  at  from  $75  to  $100;  1 
chief  clerk  and  general  superintendent,  at  $150;  1  clerk,  post,  at  $100. 
Number  of  extra-duty  men,  24 ;  number  of  horses,  102 ;  number  of  mules, 
70 ;  number  of  organized  teams,  11.  Four  teams  were  ordered  to  Fort 
Ellis  for  the  use  of  the  cavalry  at  that  post,  bringing  the  number  of 
teams  for  Ellis  to  11.  Total  cost  of  this  post  since  it  was  established, 
$187,013  49. 

This  post  is  supplied  from  Fort  Benton  by  river  to  Benton,  and  sixty 
miles  of  hauling.  The  hauling  costs  at  the  rate  of  $1  70  per  one  hun- 
dred miles  per  100  pounds. 

A  company  is  required  at  Benton  every  summer  to  attend  to  and 
guard  the  stores  for  Shaw  and  Ellis.  The  property  was  not  removed  as 
promptly  as  it  ought  to  have  been  from  the  landing. 

At  Benton  orders  were  issued  giving  Brevet  Major  Torry,  the  officer 
stationed  at  Benton,  control  in  this  matter  so  as  to  correct  it.  A  store- 
house is  needed  at  Benton,  if  the  stores  are  to  be  sent  that  way,  or  any 
part  of  them.  Old  Fort  Benton  would  answer  this  purpose,  and  can  be 
obtained  for  that  purpose. 

Something  of  a  force  will  be  required  at  Fort  Shaw  for  some  time 
longer,  as  it  is  near  the  Blackfeet  reservation,  and  until  a  road  is  opened 


6      RECONNOISSAXCE  IX  THK  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

to  Muscleshell.  This  post  is  upon  the  main  road  of  supply  for  the  whole 
of  Montana.  A  force  of  one  company  is  also  required  at  Fort  Benton 
to  cover  and  protect  the  same  line. 

Ellis  and  Shaw  have  been  of  great  value  to  Montana.  Had  the  troops 
at  Camp  Cooke  been  placed  at  Benton,  they  also  would  have  been  of 
ice.  Hid  away  at  the  mouth  of  the  Judith,  in  a  pocket  as  it  wei v. 
tlu-y  were  practically  wasted  and  out  of  the  zone  of  any  influence  what 
ever,  except  as  holding  a  point  on  the  Missouri,  fifteen  miles  from  the 
\\ui>t  rapids  on  it,  (Dauphin's.) 

In  connection  with  and  bearing  upon  the  position  of  Fort  Shaw,  it 
should  be  mentioned  that  the  principal  Indian  crossing  for  the  Black- 
tee  t  Indians  is  Fort  Benton,  or  in  front  of  its  main  street;  the  Indians 
cross  there  and  go  up  the  Missouri,  above  the  mouth  of  Sun  River,  and 
again  cross  the  Missouri  to  attack  the  settlements  or  continue  on  to  the 
passes  into  the  Gallatiu  Valley ;  hence  the  necessity  of  the  troops  at 
both  Shaw  and  Benton  until  the  district  of  country  south  of  the  Mis- 
souri and  north  of  the  Yellowstone  is  cleared  out  and  occupied. 

FORT  BEATON  AXD   BENTON  CITY. 

This  place  consists  of  the  Northwestern  Fur  Company,  post  of  Fort 
Benton,  and  of  a  town  that  has  grown  up  just  above  it,  upon  the  same 
bottom  lands.  At  this  point  the  goods  brought  up  the  Missouri  are 
landed,  and  the  business  done  here  is,  most  of  it,  that  of  forwarding 
and  transportation.  In  seasons  when  the  river  is  low,  boats  land  their 
cargoes  on  the  left  bank  belqw,  whence  they  are  hauled  in  wagons  to 
Benton,  principally  from  Cofo  Island,  a  distance  from  Beuton,  by  land, 
set  down  at  one  hundred  and  sixty  miles.  There  are  no  roads  on  the 
west  and  south  sides  of  the  Missouri,  as  the  country  is  broken  and  for- 
bidding, and  the  bl lifts  render  it  nearly  impossible  to  descend  to  the  river 
bank.  Upon  the  north  side  there  is  a  fine  prairie  road  to  mouth  of 
Milk  River  and  to  Fort  Buford;  total  distance  to  Buford  three  hundred 
and  eighty  miles.  To  mouth  of  Milk  Kiver,  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles, 
through  a  fine  country,  so  far  as  grass  and  water  are  regarded,  but  in- 
fested with  Indians  the  entire  distance.  Late  in  the  season  it  has  some- 
times been  necessary  to  haul  from  the  mouth  of  Milk  Kiver.  However, 
at  this  time,  the  river  is  opening  a  new  channel  for  itself,  partially 
avoiding  the  bar  formed  by  that  river.  About  four,  and  again  at  twelve 
miles  by  land  below  Benton,  are  bad  places  where  vessels  frequently 
unload,  their  goods  being  hauled  by  land.  The  hauling  contractor,  Mr. 
Steell,  has  his  place  of  business  at  Beuton,  and,  beside  the  Government 
hauling,  does  much  private  work,  especially  that  for  steamers  in  dis- 
tress that  are  obliged  to  unload  a  portion  of  all  their  cargo 

It  will  be  of  vast  importance  to  the  navigation  of  the  Missouri  to  have 
a  road  opened  somewhere  from  about  Fort  Hawley,  across  to  Helena  and 
Virginia  City.  There  are  about  seven  hundred  people  in  the  town  of 
Beuton,  many  of  them  leaving  in  winter. 

No  measures  had  been  taken  to  secure  a  reservation  for  the  Govern- 
ment, and  we  found  the  Government  landing  used  in  18G7  fenced  in  by 
a  squatter,  who  had  run  a  fence  to  coverall  the  landing  room  from  above 
the  town  to  the  bl  lifts  above  the  bottom,  and  now  desired  rent  for  the 
privilege  of  a  company  encamping  within  his  grounds;  a  heavy  claim  is 
being  nursed  into  existence  in  this  manner,  and  the  sooner  the  United 
States  secures  a  storehouse  and  landing  of  its  own,  the  better.  It  would 
be  well,  if  it  is  practicable,  to  require  future  contractors  to  hold  and  pro- 
tect the  freight  until  it  isremoved.  The  difficulty  at  present  is  the  strong 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.      7 

disposition  to  neglect  the  public  freight  so  long  as  any  private  parties 
offer. 

There  is  a  community  of  interest  among  the  capitalists  here  that  ena- 
bles them  to  combine  and  have  most  things  their  own  way  in  many  re- 
spects. The  district  commander  and  the  officer  having  the  guard  here 
must  be  held  to  a  strict  accountability,  (as  well  as  the  quartermaster.) 
The  fur  company  will  store,  handle,  &c.,  goods  for  the  Government  at 
$2  50  per  ton  per  year.  The  fort  itself  can  be  purchased,  with  all  claim, 
right,  and  title  to'the  land,  for  $15,000.*  In  my  opinion,  were  $12,000 
cash  offered,  it  would  at  this  time  be  accepted,  owing  to  ill-feeling,  com- 
petition, &c.,  in  the  Indian  trade. 

At  Fort  Benton  is  one  of  the  main  crossings  of  hostile  parties  of  Indians 
going  south  to  commit  depredations;  many  Indians  come  from  the  Brit- 
ish possessions  to  maraud;  for  this  reason,  one  company  ought  to  be 
posted  at  Benton,  and  it  is  a  question  whether  the  United  States  would 
not  profit  by  having  a  post  built  on  the  Marias,  northwest  of  Fort  Ben- 
ton,  and  supplied  from  that  point,  and  as  near  the  international  boundary 
as  possible.  Eventually  one  will  be  required  upon  the  Milk  River,  to 
control  that  valley;  one  upon  Mouse  River,  &c.  A  post  on  the  Marias, 
seventy-five  miles  or  so  from  Benton,  would  exercise  great  influence  over 
the  British  Indians  that  now  come  into  our  territory  to  hunt  and  maraud. 

With  a  view  of  interpenetrating  and  opening  the  country  south  of  the 
Missouri,  and  to  shorten  existing  roads,  the  department  commander  has 
ordered  explorations  made  from  Benton  south  to  the  Missouri,  crossing 
at  the  Old  Missouri,  just  above  the  mouth  of  Sun  River,  and  some  fifteen 
miles  from  Fort  Shaw,  and  also  as  far  as  the  Gallatin  Valley. 

It  is  thought  that  some  common  point  may  be  determined  where  a  road 
from  the  Missouri  above  the  mouth  of  the  Muscleshell  will  fork,  and 
send  a  branch  to  Bozeman,  or  Fort  Ellis,  to  Helena,  to  Benton,  and  to 
Shaw ;  thus  determining  a  point  for  a  small  infantry  or  other  post  that 
shall  cover  them  all. 

Hay  and  wood  are  scarce  at  Benton.  Hay  can  be  cut  on  the  Teton 
and  Marias,  some  twelve  or  fifteen  miles  distant,  and  costs  now  in  small 
quantities  about  $25  per  ton.  Wood  costs  $12  or  $15  per  cord,  of  an 
inferior  kind,  principally  willow. 

Coal  is  used  a  good  deal ;  it  is  taken  out  of  the  river  bank  about  forty- 
five  miles  by  land  below  Benton.  It  belongs  to  a  lignite  formation, 
but  answers  for  heating  remarkably  well ;  it  is  used  altogether  in  win- 
ter by  the  employe's  of  the  fur  company  at  the  post  of  Fort  Bentou. 
Fort  Benton  is  fifty-six  miles  from  the  Sun  River  crossing,  and  called 
sixty  from  Fort  Shaw.  It  is  forty-seven  miles  from  the  great  falls  of 
Missouri,  by  the  west  side  of  the  river,  sixty  miles  by  trail  from  Camp 
Cooke,  seventy  miles  by  wagon  road,  (crossing  the  river,)  and  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty  miles  by  water.  As  already  stated,  it  is  one  hundred 
and  sixty  miles  by  land  from  Cow  Island ;  three  hundred  and  eighty 
miles  by  land  from  Fort  Buford. 

CAMP  COOKE. 

This  unfortunate  post  is  situated  on  the  right  bank  of  the  river  Mis- 
souri, at  the  mouth  of  the  Judith,  upon  a  sage  bottom,  saturated  with 
alkali.  It  is  entirely  overrun  with  rats,  and  may  be  said  to  be  in  pro- 
cess of  demolition  by  them.  The  storehouses  are  in  ruins  ;  they  were 
Avretchedly  constructed  in  the  first  instance,  and  nothing  since  has  been 
done  to  remedy  their  short-comings.  General  neglect  and  indifference 

*  This  fort  should  be  purchased,  but  it  requires  a  law  to  permit  it. 


8  BECONNOISSANCE    IN    THE    DEPARTMENT    OF    DAKOTA. 

rharartcri/i'  the  post.     The  small  garrison  merely  holds  on  in  spite  of 
rats.     Tin-  Indians  have  moved  away  and  left  it  alone. 

The  storehouse's  are  built  in  Mexican  "jacal"  fashion,  by  setting 
small  posts  in  the  ground  in  juxtaposition,  putting  a  plate  upon  the 
top,  with  the  logs  and  earth  roof.  The  rats  then  burrow  beneath  the 
ground,  passing  out  and  in  between  the  posts,  and  climbing  to  the  thick 
dirt  roof,  which  they  channel,  and  move  iu  every  direction.  In  this  man 
iier  probably  a  hundred  tons  of  grain  have  become  destroyed,  mixed 
and  intermixed  with  earth  and  rubbish,  burrowed  in  and  lived  in  until 
nothing  can  eat  it.  Everything  eatable  in  the  storehouses  is  gnawed 
and  destroyed — subsistence,  &c.  Had  a  storehouse  been  built  at  any 
time,  and  set  upon  posts,  so  that  dogs,  cats,  and  men  could  get  under 
it,  the  rats  would  have  left  or  have  been  destroyed.  Colonel  Otis  did  this 
at  Fort  Eice,  and  thus  preserved  his  stores  and  got  rid  of  the  rats.  The 
rats  seem  conscious  of  having  the  upper  hand  at  Camp  Cooke,  and  their 
audacity  is  something  that  must  be  seen  to  be  believed.  Little  idea  can 
be  formed  of  what  it  costs  the  Government  yearly  to  occupy  this  post 
and  feed  these  rats ;  it  would  build  a  new  post  every  two  years. 

A  great  deal  of  labor  has  been  expended  here  upon  company  and 
officers'  quarters.  A  vast  deal  of  property  has  also  been  accumulated 
in  the  quartermaster  department,  especially  iron,  rope,  spare  parts  for 
wagons,  tools,  &c.,  ten  times  as  much  as  ever  could  be  used. 

The  grain  has  now  been  put  in  fresh  houses,  but  the  rats  are  in  it, 
and  it  will  soon  be  going  the  way  of  the  rest.  Horses,  mules,  and  oxen 
are  returned  as  drawing  full  allowance  of  grain,  when  some  of  them  get 
none.  /  Great  carelessness  and  indifference  exist  in  this  matter. 

The  idea  seems  to  be  to  make  sure  of  a  surplus  by  certifying  off  twice 
as  much  as  is  used,  and  then  let  it  take  care  of  itself.  Many  of  the 
horses  are  worthless,  and  have  been  disposed  of.  The  mules  are  superb. 
It  may  be  remarked  that  Montana  is  a  marvelous  country  for  all  kinds 
of  cattle.  Meat  cattle,  mules,  and  horses  keep  readily  in  fine  condition, 
and  seem  capable  of  greater  exertion  than  elsewhere.  Mules  especially 
are  admirably  suited  to  this  country. 

No  wood  is  required  at  this  post,  there  being  sufficient  for  a  year. 
Some  50  tons  of  hay  will  be  required ;  this  costs  $44  50  per  ton.  It 
has  gradually  been  reduced  from  §110  per  ton,  the  price  paid  by  Lieu- 
tenant Keeling  the  first  season  of  its  occupation,  a  price  that  requires 
no  comment.  That  officer  has  resigned. 

If  a  post  be  built  down  the  river,  a  good  deal  of  the  old  property  here 
would  pay  to  float  down  in  flat-boats ;  it  is  not  worth  expensive  trans- 
portation. 

About  three  miles  above  Camp  Cooke  are  "  Drowned  Man's"  Eapids, 
having  sufficient  water,  but  a  current  so  swift  that  steamers  cordelle  up 
over  them.  And  fifteen  miles  down  the  river,  by  land,  are  Dauphin's 
Eapids,  upon  which  I  have  reported  elsewhere. 

Camp  Cooke  would  be  useful  in  furnishing  a  guard  at  these  rapids 
when  Indians  are  troublesome,  if  it  had  enough  men  for  such  purposes. 
After  getting  down  to  Cow  Island,  about  fifty  miles  below  Cooke,  the 
river  changes  and  becomes  better,  so  that  boats  find  but  little  difficulty 
to  within  twelve  miles  (Grande  Island)  of  that  place.  From  Grande 
Island  down,  therefore,  as  far  as  the  Muscleshell,  some  point  ought  to  be 
found  for  a  road  to  leave  the  river  direct  for  the  settlement  in  Montana. 

From  Camp  Cooke  to  Fort  Buford,  by  the  river,  it  is  estimated  to  be 
six  hundred  miles — a  bad  part  of  the  river,  infested  by  inaurading  In- 
dians. This  distance  would  seem  to  require  a  post  intermediate,  as  already 
mentioned.  The  river  for  a  considerable  distance  runs  through  the 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.      9 

bad  lauds,  but  it  lias  bordering  it,  in  the  concave  of  every  bend,  grassy 
and  timbered  bottoms.  The  timber  in  this  part  of  the  river  is  all  cot- 
ton wood.  Back  upon  the  hills,  and  in  the  ravines  at  certain  points  until 
below  the  Big  Dry,  a  scrubby  pine  abounds.  Civilians  authorized:  1 
blacksmith,  at  $100;  1  guide  and  interpreter,  at  $60. 

FORT  BUFORD. 

This  post  stands  on  the  left  bank  of  the  Missouri,  about  two  and  a 
half  miles  from  the  site  of  the  old  trading  post  of  Fort  Union.  The 
Yellowstone  River  enters  the  Missouri  a  mile  or  more  above  and  opposite 
the  post.  A  sketch  of  the  surrounding  country  is  submitted  herewith. 
This  post  is  very  well  situated,  but  a  growth  of  willow  is  tolerated  too 
near  it,  from  which  hostile  Indians  have  killed  or  wounded  persons  at 
the  saw-mill  and  about  the  post.  The  garrison  has  never  been  sufficient 
to  overawe  the  Indians,  and  the  post  has  ever  been  held  in  contempt 
by  the  Sioux,  who  are  friendly  at  posts  below,  where  they  are  fed,  but 
come  np  to  Buford  to  collect  scalps. 

Considerable  work  has  been  done  at  this  post,  but  generally  the  labor 
was  not  well  directed.  No  assistance  from  outside  has  been  given  in 
the  way  of  lumber.  Posts  further  down  the  river  of  less  importance, 
less  exposed,  are  more  fortunate  than  this. 

The  buildings  are  of  adobe,  with  timber,  brick,  or  stone  supports  in 
the  corners  or  elsewhere,  and  they  are  cracked  and  falling  down ;  all 
are  required  to  be  more  or  less  propped  up.  The  stables  are  excellent, 
but  the  grain  is  practically  left  out  doors,  being  covered  with  old  and 
indifferent  canvas.  New  officers'  quarters  are  required  here  immedi- 
ately, new  storehouses,  and  eventually  a  new  hospital  and  company 
quarters. 

It  is  believed  that  lime  can  be  readily  burned  here.  Stone  is  quarried 
within  three  miles.  Water  is  hauled  in  wagons  from  the  river,  about 
two  thousand  feet.  There  is  a  well  in  the  corral  that  is  used  for  the 
stock.  Logs  for  building  will  require  to  be  rafted  down  the  Missouri  or 
Yellowstone  some  eighteen  or  twenty  miles.  There  is  a  saw-mill  here, 
but  no  sawyer.  A  shingle  machine  is  required  to  manufacture  shingles 
out  of  cotton  wood.  These  shingles,  laid  double,  answer  tolerably  for  a 
short  time,  There  are  at  this  post:  78  mules,  in  fine  condition;  98 
horses,  (indifferent;)  5  employes. 

Hay  is  difficult  to  procure;  sufficient  ought  to  be  had  in  the  Yellow- 
stone bottom  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  were  not  the  garrison 
so  small  and  the  Indians  so  hostile.  A  contract  has  been  made  at  $21 
per  ton ;  also  for  three  thousand  cords  of  wood,  at  $9  40  per  cord.  None 
but  cottonwood  can  be  obtained.  Heretofore  the  wood  has  been  pro- 
cured by  the  troops ;  so  has  the  hay. 

This  post  is  reckoned  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  by  land  from  Fort 
Stevenson.  It  is  not  seen  how  communication  is  to  be  kept  up.  If 
soldiers  could  carry  the  mails,  there  is  no  doubt  they  would  have  to  ex- 
hibit and  develop  some  extraordinary  qualities,  for  they  cannot  leave 
the  post  and  get  back  again,  except  in  strong  parties;  they  cannot  man- 
age dog  trains,  and  to  horses  the  country  in  winter  is  impassable,  as  all 
the  ravines  and  hollows  fill  with  snow  to  great  depths.  Civilians  author- 
ized :  1  carpenter,  at  $90 ;  1  sawyer  and  engineer,  at  $125 ;  1  guide 
and  interpreter,  at  $75;  and  1  clerk,  at  $62  50. 

FORT   STEVENSON. 

At  this  post  nothing  has  practically  been  done  this  season.  The  grain 
was  in  bad  condition  and  somewhat  neglected.  The  carpenters  were 


10     KECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

engaged  in  putting  porches  and  conveniences  to  some  of  the  officers' 
quarters. 

A  contract  for  half  a  million  feet  of  lumber  in  the  log  was  in  great 
part  unnecessary,  and,  strange  to  say,  when  the  logs  began  to  be  cut  the 
sawyer  was  sent  away.  A  granary,  however,  is  required,  and  a  magazine. 

If  the  stores  for  Fort  Totten  continue  to  be  sent  this  way  a  large 
storehouse  will  have  to  be  built.  There  are  two  small  saw-mills,  that 
have  been  entirely  exposed  a  year  or  two  to  the  weather,  and  can  now 
be  worth  little.  The  hay-scales  sent  here  to  weigh  the  hay  contracted 
for,  and  for  other  purposes,  have  never  even  been  set  up ;  the  plea  made 
was  ignorance  and  want  of  suitable  timber.  In  my  opinion  this  was  a 
clear  neglect,  without  sufficient  excuse. 

A  prodigious  quantity  of  pine  lumber  has  been  sent  here  this  season  ; 
it  is  not  required  here  and  will  be  sent  to  Fort  Buford.  Altogether  too 
much  iron  was  also  sent.  Not  much  reliance  can  be  placed  upon  the 
estimates,  nor  at  all  times  upon  the  returns,  from  the  manner  of  making 
property  surplus. 

The  officers'  and  soldiers'  quarters,  at  this  post  are  good,  but  being 
made  of  adobe  require  stuccoing  to  save  them.  There  was  but  one 
plasterer  at  the  post,  whose  time  is  about  to  expire.  He  has  proved  most 
valuable,  doing  as  much  work  as  all  the  civilian  plasterers,  for  instance, 
at  Fort  Shaw.  To  induce  him  to  stay  two  or  three  months,  and  thus 
take  his  chances  cf  getting  out  of  the  country,  $130  per  mouth  was 
recommended.  In  order  to  save  the  buildings  they  must  be  plastered 
on  the  exposed  side.  The  hospital  is  large,  but  inconvenient.  There 
are  fortunately  few  sick.  The  hospitals  planned  at  the  several  posts 
have  many  irregularities,  and  too  often,  like  the  quarters,  serve  to  per- 
petuate some  individual  peculiarity  or  views. 

The  river  in  front  of  this  post  is  changing,  a  bar  or  bank  is  forming, 
and  the  landing  is  gradually  removing  down  the  river.  The  same  thing 
holds  at  Forts  Rice,  Sully,  and  Randall.  Much  experience  and  skill  are 
required  to  get  a  post  near  a  fixed  landing.  At  Camp  Cooke  the  land- 
ing has  moved  up  stream  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile. 

Wood  may  be  said  to  be  scarce  here,  but  a  combustible  lignite  is 
abundant;  it  falls  to  pieces  or  slacks  very  soon  after  drying,  and  for  this 
reason  but  little  can  be  dug  at  a  time.  Some  rascal  has  set  the  vein  on 
fire.  This  firing  of  these  veins  of  coal  and  shale  seems,  from  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  bluffs,  common ;  one  was  burning  in  the  bluff  at  old 
Fort  Berthold.  There  is  a  contract  for  wood  at  $10  45  per  cord  for  800 
cords.  For  coal  at  $6  per  ton,  for  1,200  tons  ;  and  four  hundred  tons  of 
hay,  at  $17  95  per  ton. 

Hay  this  year  is  abundant  at  this  post,  inasmuch  as  abundant  rains 
have  fallen  both  here  and  at  Buford.  The  logs  for  this  post  are  cut  fif- 
teen to  thirty  miles  above,  and  are  then  rafted  to  the  post  and  hauled 
out  at  the  mill.  The  logs  are  of  cotton  wood,  but  were  large,  fine,  straight 
ones.  This  contract  was  being  vigorously  carried  out.  There  are 
abundant  miscellaneous  stores,  tools,  &c.,  at  this  post.  The  wagons, 
however,  were  good  for  nothing.  The  same  held  with  regard  to  Rice 
and  Sully,  at  both  posts  there  was  not  a  wagon  fit  to  take  the  field. 
There  were  47  horses  and  63  mules  in  fair  condition.  The  following 
employes  are  allowed  at  this  post:  1  clerk,  at  §125;  3  carpenters,  at 
$90;  1  blacksmith,  at  $90;  1  engineer,  at  $150;  1  interpreter  and  guide, 
at  $100;  1  plasterer  for  three  months. 

No  efforts  seem  to  have  been  made  to  explore  the  country,  to  measure 
distances,  or  to  gather  information  upon  the  usual  subjects  that  would 
be  supposed  to  interest  those  whose  business  it  is  to  occupy  and  hold  a 
country.  Many  of  the  officers  were  new,  however,  although  not  all. 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     11 

The  money  actually  paid  out  at  and  for  this  post  makes  it  an  expen- 
sive one,  but  it  may  be  said  that  it  is  a  good  one,  and  meets  fairly  the 
end  in  view,  perhaps  as  economically  as  is  possible  under  this  mode  of 
construction,  when  there  is  so  great  difference  in  the  aptitude,  intelli- 
gence, experience,  and  resources  of  the  officers.  It  may  generally  be 
remarked  that  as  we  approach  the  sources  of  supplies,  &c.,  the  posts 
improve  in  the  character  of  their  buildings. 

FORT  RICE. 

Two  years  ago,  when  I  inspected  the  several  posts  of  the  department, 
Fort  Rice  was,  perhaps,  in  about  the  worst  condition,  without  omitting 
any  respect  whatever.  At  that  date  it  changed  commanders,  and  the 
change  is  most  marvelous.  In  place  of  the  old  decayed  buildings  of 
logs  and  earth,  infested  with  rats,  and  with  stores  exposed  to  destruction 
by  tire  and  water,  now  there  stands,  instead,  clean,  dry,  comfortable  bar- 
racks and  storehouses,  raised  fro  in  the  ground,  ventilated,  clap-boarded, 
shingled,  glazed,  and  in  complete  order.  The  stores  are  neatly  arranged, 
aired,  and  in  perfect  order.  Company  quarters  for  four  companies  are 
finished  as  per  annexed  plan.  A  hospital,  a  quartermaster  storehouse, 
grain  storehouse,  clothing  storehouse,  a  subsistence  storehouse  and  cel- 
lars ;  and  many  Indian  goods  are  stored,  and  all  perfectly  safe  and  dry. 
A  fine  store-magazine,  an  ordnance  store-room,  bastions,  so  called, 
(block-houses,)  a  secure  stockade,  guard-house,  and  offices,  all  very  satis- 
factory. 

The  officers'  quarters  are  about  finished,  and  are  excellent  buildings. 
(See  plan.)  There  still  remain  to  be  built  stable  and  store-sheds  in  the 
corral ;  but  such  a  commander,  with  a  garrison  disciplined  and  controlled 
as  is  this  one,  will  have  no  trouble  in  finishing  his  post,  nor  will  there 
be  any  outcry  for  assistance. 

At  no  post  in  the  department,  in  my  judgment,  have  means  been  so 
well  adapted  to  ends,  and  labor  so  well  directed.  If  it  be  ever  a  satis- 
faction for  men  to  labor  it  must  be  when  each  one  can  see  that  every 
blow  tells  accurately  as  it  was  intended.  The  animals  were  in  the  usual 
good  working  condition,  and  are  well  cared  for.  More  teams  were 
needed,  and  three  have  been  ordered  up  from  Fort  Sully.  The  hay 
contractor  had  done  little,  and  men  will  have  to  be  hired  to  save  hay 
for  the  commissary  cattle  and  for  the  horses.  There  is  so  much  irregu- 
larity in  the  mode  of  bidding  that  several  months  are  wasted  in  getting 
up  through  the  "straw"  bids,  so  that  finally  it  shall  reach  a  responsible 
man.  By  the  time  it  gets  to  him  he  has  beard  of  its  award  to  others, 
has  given  over  the  business,  and  when  notified  finds  it  too  late  to  get 
men  up  the  river.  Such  a  difficulty  has  occurred  at  Rice  and  Sully  and 
Randall  this  year. 

Some  cisterns  are  needed  at  Fort  Eice  to  hold  water  to  guard  against 
fire  and  sudden  attacks.  A  well  here  was  tried  during  the  war  by  a 
Wisconsin  regiment,  and  the  water  killed  over  a  hundred  men  before 
the  cause  of  disease  was  fully  determined.  The  well  was  filled  up,  not 
even  kept  open  for  cases  of  fire. 

A  contract  exists  for  wood  now  being  delivered,  at  $5  70  per  cord. 
There  are  to  be  delivered  1,000  cords.* 

*  Note  on  ivoocl  contract*. — One  Captain  George  W.  Hill,  succeeding  temporarily  to  com- 
mand in  the  absence  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Oti.s,  has  ordered  the  public  teams  to  haul 
this  wood  for  the  contractors  at  sixty-live  cents  per  cord,  justifying  himself  by  order 
No.  97,  A.  G.  O.,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1867;  a  most  unjustifiable  proceeding,  since  if  the 
public  teams  can  haul  the  wood  he  should  merely  hire  it  cut,  which  can  be  done  for 
two  or  three  dollars  at  the  post. 


12     RECONNOISSANCE  IX  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

Ill  building  tliis  post  the  logs  were  cut  and  hauled  by  the  troops,  and 
were  >;i  wed  with  the  post  mill.  Stone  was  hauled  for  foundations,  and 
I  tricks  were  made  by  the  troops  for  chimneys  and  for  filling  in  between 
the  sheet  ings  and  plastering.  The  buildings  are  all  sheathed  on  sides  and 
roof  with  inch  cottonwood  boards  ;  the  sides  are  then  clapboarded,  and 
the  roofs  shingled  with  tiro  thicknesses  of  shingles  of  cottonwood  manu- 
factured at  the  post.  Elm  planks  are  used  for  the  stockade  and 
bastions,  with  heavy  oak  posts.  There  are  sentry  boxes  at  the  top  of 
the  block-houses.  A  rolling  prairie  extends  back  from  the  post,  with 
good  grazing.  The  mail  communication  with  Fort  Sully  from  this  post 
is  kept  open  by  scouts.  There  are  now  authorized  at  the  post  the 
following  civilian  employes:  1  clerk,  at  $100;  1  engineer,  at  $100;  4 
carpenters,  3  at  $100,  1  at  8125;  1  interpreter  and  guide,  at  $100:  1 
blacksmith,  at  $100 ;  1  plasterer  for  three  months. 

FORT  SULLY. 

Since  inspecting  this  post  the  officers'  quarters  are  finished,  except 
one  set.  Many  alterations  have  been  made  in  their  plans.  They  differ 
in  style,  &c.,  but  are  ample,  convenient,  and  well  furnished.  The 
barracks  for  the  men  are  wretched;  too  small,  illy  ventilated,  and  hot; 
wide  stoops  are  required  along  all  their  fronts  to  keep  the  sun  off,  and 
give  the  men  a  place  to  sleep  in  hot  weather.  Windows  should  be 
sawed  in  the  back  part  for  light  and  ventilation.  The  stores  are  well 
arranged  and  abundant ;  in  fact,  greatly  in  excess  for  the  size  of  the 
garrison. 

The  department  order  has  been  literally  carried  out  in  one  thing,  for 
a  most  elaborate  subsistence  room  has  been  constructed  as  a  place  for 
sales  to  officers.  Much  dressed  pine  has  been  uselessly  consumed  in  a 
sort  of  display  that  would  answer  very  well  in  a  village  store.  The 
flour  store-house  was  floored  with  a  fine  quality  of  tougued  and  grooved 
flooring  sent  up  to  floor  the  quarters,  and  more  had  to  be  purchased  to 
complete  the  authorized  officers'  quarters,  (one  set.)  The  orderly  rooms 
were  partially  wainscoted  inside,  with  tougued  and  grooved  flooring 
likewise.  The  post  has  a  stockade  and  block-houses  of  most  substantial 
construction.  The  entire  post  has  a  neat,  cheerful,  well-cared-for 
appearance.  It  is  set  on  a  high  hill,  some  two  miles  from  the  landing, 
and  as  far  from  water. 

The  grain  was  in  good  condition,  except  1,100  sacks  just  received 
from  Sioux  City.  This  grain  was  well  sacked  in  double  sacks  reversed. 
It  was  Indian  corn  that  some  time  or  other  had  been  wet  and  heated. 
The  sacks  had  no  appearance  of  having  been  wet.  The  animals  would 
not  eat  this  corn,  which  fact  first  drew  attention  to  it.  Captain  Gilliss 
assures  me  that  he  inspected  it  with  the  tryer  with  the  greatest  care, 
and  that  it  was  good.  It  was  carried  some  four  hundred  or  five  hundred 
miles  in  the  hold  of  a  steamboat  with  great  care.  It  has  been  hauled 
up  a  hill  two  miles,  carefully  packed  in  a  store-house,  and  then  taken 
out,  all  the  while  kept  perfectly  dry,  and  now  it  is  worthless  for  feeding 
to  any  animals. 

The  grain  store-house  has  a  basement  filled  with  all  kinds  of  rubbish, 
stores,  iron,  wagon  material,  good,  bad,  and  indifferent.  This  arrange- 
ment makes  a  place  for  rats;  the  dogs  cannot  get  them,  and  the  grain 
wastes  and  suffers.  The  building  is  not  properly  supported,  and  unless 
a  remedy  is  soon  applied  it  must  fall  down  or  break  in  pieces. 

Full  allowance  of  grain  is  returned  for  without  regard  to  quantity 
fed,  as  at  other  places.  Luckily  the  subsistence  department  needed  the 


RECONNOISSAXCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     13 

oxen  to  eat,  so  that  much  grain  may  be  regarded  as  saved  by  their 
transfer.  The  mule  teams  here  were  magnificent;  no  other  term  would 
express  it,  but  hired  drivers  are  employed.  Little  more,  except  at  least 
twelve  new  wagons,  need  be  sent  to  this  post ;  with  what  the  law  allows 
it  ought  to  take  care  of  itself.  Extensive  laundresses'  quarters  are  in 
process  of  erection. 

There  has  been  expended  at  this  post  for  civilian  labor  the  past  year 
$16,13311.  There  are  now  fifty- three  men  on  extra  duty,  seven  of 
whom  are  carpenters.  Men  were  authorized  to  cut  hay  and  make  brick. 
The  following  civilian  employes  are  now  authorized:  1  clerk,  at  $100  ; 
1  engineer,  at  $100;  2  masons,  at  100  ;  5  carpenters,  4  at  $100,  and  1 
at  $50  j  8  teamsters,  at  $35  j  1  saddler,  at  $75 ;  2  blacksmiths,  at  $75 ; 
1  wagon  and  forage  master,  at  $75 ;  1  guide  and  interpreter,  at  $50. 

I  learned  with  great  surprise  after  arriving  at  Sioux  City,  that  the 
regimental  quartermaster  of  this  post,  Lieutenant  McCaskey,  was 
ordered  to  some  other  regiment.  His  work  at  this  post  has  evidently 
been  a  labor  of  love ;  he  must  have  been  active,  attentive,  and  a  valua- 
ble officer  ;  his  errors  those  of  inexperience  and  youth ;  and  his  removal, 
when  he  is  just  settled  down  in  quarters  whose  construction  he  has 
superintended,  with  a  young  wife  and  child,  appears  unaccountable. 
This  officer  had  an  old  and  very  valuable  sergeant  as  quartermaster 
sergeant,  whose  services  have  been  valuable  in  such  a  position  as  that 
of  quartermaster  sergeant.  This  was  Sergeant  McCricket,  formerly  of 
the  Sixth  Infantry. 

FORT  RANDALL. 

This  old  post  looked  in  certain  respects  renewed,  for  abundant  rains 
had  made  the  grass  everywhere  green.  The  landing  is  abominable,  and 
edging  yearly  down  the  river.  The  contractor  had  several  rough  rafts 
of  various  sized  cottonwood  logs  lodged  in  the  bank  where  we  landed ; 
these  are  to  be  broken  up,  the  logs  hauled  out,  cut  and  split  into  fire- 
wood, and  then  delivered  piled  at  the  post ;  a  dreary  method,  and  dreary 
wood  it  makes  for  January  in  this  region. 

The  soldiers'  quarters  were  never  placed  upon  any  foundations,  being 
built  of  cottouwood  logs  laid  on  the  ground ;  the  bottom  ones  are  de- 
cayed, and  the  upper  ones  go  down  a  file  yearly ;  the  stopping  point  is 
about  reached,  and  if  the  post  is  to  be  kept  up  two  sets  of  company 
quarters  must  be  erected  as  speedily  as  practicable.  The  best  plan  will 
be  to  make  them  of  cottonwood,  as  at  Fort  Rice,  furnishing,  as  for 
that  post,  flooring  from  Sioux  City. 

A  subsistence  storehouse  is  next  needed.  The  logs  for  these  structures 
ought  to  be  gotten  out  by  contract,  as  there  are  no  men  now  to  do  it ; 
a  mill  from  Fort  Sully  to  be  sent  there,  with  a  saAvyer  and  engineer, 
and  saw  them  up  before  spring  if  possible,  certainly  in  part. 

The  officers'  quarters,  some  of  them,  need  repairs.  The  stable  and 
barn  is  a  good  one.  The  public  animals  are  in  good  order.  The  quar- 
termaster's stores  were  in  good  buildings,  neatly  cared  for,  the  acting 
quartermaster  being  a  most  painstaking,  laborious  officer.  He  had  been 
overrun  with  rubbish  from  Fort  Dakota.  A  quantity,  100  or  more 
tons  of  property,  by  an  error  of  judgment  of  the  officer  sent  there  to 
break  up  the  post,  were  transported  to  this  post,  when  they  were  not 
worth  loading  even.  At  Fort  Dakota,  from  the  settlers,  it  would  have 
brought  all  it  was  worth.  Corn  and  other  stuff  will  be  condemned  here, 
and  sold  where  there  are  no  purchasers.  The  transportation  probably 
cost  $3,000  or  more.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Duffy,  captain  Twenty-second 


14  RECONNOISSANCE    IN    THE    DEPARTMENT    OF    DAKOTA. 

Infantry,  was  the  officer  who  broke  up  Fort  Dakota.  He  had  no  experi- 
ence in  such  business  ;  hence  the  result. 

This  post,  like  Fort  Rice,  is  upon  the  wrong  side  of  the  river,  necessi- 
tating the  constant  want  of  a  ferry — a  boat  or  a  rope,  or  both. 

There  is  a  contract  for  500  cords  of  wood  at  $0  1)4  per  cord.  There 
is  considerable  hay  on  hand  at  this  time,  and  also  a  large  quantity  of 
excellent  dry  wood.  Forts  Shaw,  Stevenson,  and  Randall  were  the  only 
posts  where  much  dry  wood  has  been  left  over. 

There  are  Indian  reservations  near  Fort  Randall,  but  the  settlers  are 
pouring  in  so  rapidly  on  the  Missouri  below  that  the  post  will  not  be 
needed,  in  any  event,  five  years.  It  seems  a  pity  to  build  to  any  great 
extent  on  this  site,  for  the  Indians  about  this  reservation  are  of  the 
friendly,  subdued  kind,  that  form  a  sort  of  defense  against  the  wild, 
treacherous,  and  warlike  Sioux  toward  the  Yellowstone,  where  all  the 
force  of  the  Government  will  need  to  be  concentrated  before  many 
years.  At  this  place  the  following  civilians  are  allowed  :  1  interpreter 
and  guide,  at  $50  ;  1  blacksmith,  at  $75. 

There  are  abundant  stores  of  all  kinds,  and  a  supply  of  pine  lumber, 
shingles,  &c.  If  a  storehouse  is  built,  I  would  recommend  pine  shingles. 
A  guard-house  and  prison -room  is  much  needed  here. 

Having  looked  pretty  well  over  this  Missouri  country,  some  opinions 
which  I  have  naturally  formed  may  not  be  out  of  place.  First,  troops 
that  garrison  the  Upper  Missouri  country  have  the  worst  stations  now 
occupied  by  the  Army,  always  excepting  the  Yuma  Desert  and  Alaska. 
They  need  good  housing,  clothing,  feeding,  and  medical  supplies;  and 
as  they  are  in  an  expensive  and  difficult  country,  they  require  good  dis- 
cipline and  good  officers,  with  careful  supervision.  Abundant  fuel  is 
required  in  winter,  and  the  animals  need  to  be  well  sheltered  and  fed. 

The  line  of  supply  from  Chicago,  Sioux  City,  and  the  Missouri  River, 
has  great  advantages,  such  as  celerity,  certainty,  and  a  longer  season. 
AVhen  the  steamer  line  is  broken  into  two  classes,  mountain  boats  or 
lighters  from  Buford  up,  and  heavier  boats  from  there  down,  the 
business  will  be  much  more  complete.  A  lauding  about  the  Muscle- 
shell,  and  a  road  into  Montana,  will  dispose  of  the  most  difficult  navi- 
gation of  the  Upper  Missouri. 

A  great  change  has  been  effected  in  two  years.  Wood  yards  are  now 
abundant  and  increasing,  and  the  trips  are  proportionally  shortened. 
The  transportation  has  thus  been  reduced  about  half. 

The  river  is  very  well  spaced  off  by  posts,  and  serious  losses  of  boats 
are  not  likely  to  occur  from  Indians.  Troops  and  officers  can  be  thrown 
into  Montana,  via  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad  and  Coriuue,  at  almost  any 
season  of  the  year,  except  mid  winter.  This  is  not,  however,  now  as 
economical  a  route  as  that  by  the  Missouri  River. 

To  prevent  animals  from  being  overdriven  and  destroyed,  all  officers, 
especially  paymasters,  ought  to  report  their  trips  by  land,  giving  the 
distance  traveled,  the  time  taken,  &c.  The  animals  are  not  kept 
properly  branded,  nor  is  the  public  property  duly  marked.  There  is  a 
great  looseness  in  forage  issues  and  returns,  and  in  its  accountability, 
('specially  of  hay.  Surplus  property  is  not  taken  up  and  accounted  for. 
There  is  no  accurate  measure  for  the  civilian  and  other  labor  no  record 
of  the  results  are  kept.  Articles  manufactured,  &c.,  are  not  taken  up 
and  accounted  for.  The  reports  of  alterations  in  buildings,  &c.,  are  not 
made,  or  are  mostly  inaccurate.  Exaggerated  estimates  of  property  are 
made  often  from  a  vanity  to  have  every  article  on  hand  known  to  the 
vocabulary  of  the  mechanic.  The  estimates  and  requisitions  are  not 
entirely  trustworthy,  and  a  vast  and  unnecessary  amount  of  property 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     15 

has  accumulated  at  the  several  posts.  Especially  is  this  the  case  in  regard 
to  all  kinds  of  materials  used  for  repairs,  (lenerally,  repairs  of  every- 
thing, except  buildings  that  cannot  be  made  by  enlisted  labor,  ought  to 
cease  at  these  posts.  As  I  have  often  recommended,  no  building  should 
be  erected  except  upon  an  approved  plan,  and  no  commanding  officer 
should  order  any  labor  hired  or  property  purchased  unless  he  have  the 
money  to  pay  for  it,  or  it  be  authorized  on  proper  estimates  made  in 
advance. 

The  military  communication  with  the  posts  is  most  uncertain  and 
miserable  in  winter.  Troops  buried  in  snow,  afflicted  with  scurvy,  have 
the  misfortune  to  be  cut  off  from  their  fellow-men  about  half  the  year, 
as  at  Fort  Buford.  The  amount  that  would  keep  such  an  express  pos- 
sible seems  enormous  for  such  a  purpose;  but  were  it  expended  in  the 
stupid  transfer  of  worthless  property  from  one  point  to  another,  it  would 
probably  pass  unchallenged. 

The  morals  of  the  troops  at  Fort  Buford  have  never  been  good ;  much 
of  it  has  no  doubt  arisen  from  neglect  and  the  great  isolation  of  the 
post. 

After  an  interval  of  one  month,  upon  September  2  I  started  under 
the  annexed  order  upon  a  tour  of  inspection  of  the  remaining  posts  in  the 
department.  The  road  from  St.  Cloud  to  Fort  Abercrombie,  over  which 
we  transport  our  stores,  extends  along  the  Sauk  Valley  fully  half  of  the 
way,  and  in  a  wet  season  it  is  a  wretched  one,  especially  about  thirty 
miles  through  the  Alexandria  woods,  where  little  has  ever  been  done 
to  put  it  in  serviceable  condition.  It  will  be  of  great  advantage  another 
year  to  change  this  line  to  the  other  branch  of  the  St.  Paul  and  Pacific 
llailroad,  which  during  another  season  will  reach  Breckinridge,  some 
twelve  miles  from  Fort  Abercrombie,  thus  getting  rid  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy  miles  of  hauling  from  St.  Cloud  to  that  post. 

FOET   ABERCROMBIE 

is  built  in  a  bend  of  the  Eed  Kiver  of  the  North,  upon  the  west  or 
Dakota  side,  in  a  very  fertile  but  low  and  overflowed  district  of  country. 
In  the  past  ten  years  this  post,  advanced  as  it  was  beyond  the  settlements, 
and,  being  the  starting  point  for  expeditions  to  the  Missouri,  possessed 
some  offensive  and  defensive  importance.  All  that  is  now  passed  away, 
and  the  only  obvious  use  of  the  post  now  is  to  serve  as  a  depot  whence 
to  supply  Forts  Totten,  Eausom,  and  posts  in  the  prolongation  of  their 
routes. 

Fort  Hansom  is  but  seventy-five  miles  from  this  post,  and  Fort  Totteii 
one  bunded  and  sixty -five  miles. 

Hospital. — The  hospital  accommodations  are  deemed  sufficient  for 
the  present  wants  of  the  post,  although  the  entire  expenditure  has  been 
made  upon  the  administration  building.  A  ward  may  be  added  at  any 
time  when  required. 

Barracks  and  quarters. — There  are  not  sufficient  quarters  for  the 
officers  since  a  chaplain  and  assistant  quartermaster  have  been  ordered 
to  the  post;  both  these  officers  have  to  be  provided  with  quarters.  The 
soldiers'  quarters  require  some  repairs.  They  are  ample  for  all  the  force 
really  needed  at  this  point,  namely,  one  company  to  guard  the  stores. 

A  suitable  double  wooden  building  for  surgeon  and  chaplain,  or  chap- 
lain and  assistant  quartermaster,  will  cost  $8,000. 

A  saw-mill  at  or  near  the  post  can  furnish  the  lumber,  (pine,)  at  $40 
per  thousand. 

Storehouses. — A  storehouse  was  built  about  one  year  ago  by  contract, 


16     RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

the  commanding  officer  (General  Sidell)  superintending  it.  From  de- 
fective drainage  it  is  tumbling  down.  A  deep  cellar,  dug  in  clay,  was 
placed  under  it,  which  was  allowed  to  fill  with  water:  this  softened  the 
clay,  so  that  the  brick  cellar-wall  and  foundation  caved  in,  and  let  the 
building  down.  This  building  is  used  for  subsistence  stores;  it  shows 
evidence  of  very  great  neglect  on  the  part  of  the  post  authorities  at 
some  time.  The  quartermaster's  storehouse  is  even  in  a  worse  condition, 
lidia  similar  causes.  An  examination  of  the  ground  showed  that  these 
buildings  could  readily  be  drained  into  the  river.  The  stable  is  large  and 
in  good  condition,  but  not  constructed  in  accordance  with  the  plan,  and 
for  this  reason  it  is  extremely  inconvenient.  It  will  answer,  however, 
present  purposes,  as  it  is  proposed  to  bring  the  public  train  to  Fort 
Snelling  to  winter. 

The  ferry  at  this  post  is  owned  and  kept  in  order  by  the  post  trader, 
who  charges  a  nominal  ferriage  to  the  Government  to  cover  his  ex- 
penses. 

Settlers  have  now  approached  this  post,  so  that  grain  for  forage,  and 
perhaps  another  year  enough  flour,  may  be  purchased  for  the  use  of  the 
garrison,  deliverable  at  the  post  and  raised  in  its  vicinity. 

Grass  exists  in  the  alluvial  bottoms  of  the  river  in  the  greatest  abun- 
dance, and  there  is  no  reason  why  the  post  should  not  be  supplied  with 
the  best  of  prairie  hay.  This  season  the  rains  and  the  ignorance  or 
neglect  of  the  post  quartermaster,  Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel  William 
Hawley,  has  led  to  loss  and  confusion  in  this  respect.  The  hay  was  put 
up  green  and  wet,  and  all,  or  nearly  all,  lost  in  consequence.  The  appli- 
cation of  some  salt  might  have  remedied  this ;  but  even  this  well-known 
expedient  was  neglected  or  not  understood. 

The  grain  on  hand  was  in  bad  condition,  and  a  vile  compound  of  dirt- 
sweepings  and  rat-chaff  was  issued  to  the  animals  of  our  train  by  the 
post  quartermaster  when  we  left  the  post,  greatly  to  their  injury. 

Wood  is  furnished  by  contract,  and  is  not  abundant  on  the  reserva- 
tion. 

Water  is  hauled  in  wagons  by  the  troops.  The  post  has  no  reservoirs, 
cisterns,  or  tanks,  nor  any  provisions  against  fire.  Some  arrangements 
are  required  if  this  is  to  be  made  a  depot  of  stores. 

This  post  is  at  present  garrisoned  by  two  skeleton  companies  of  the 
Twentieth  United  States  Infantry,  and  commanded  by  the  lieutenant 
colonel  of  the  regiment.  There  is  a  detachment  of  horses  for  mounted 
infantry  and  scouts.  Were  due  preparations  made  this  would  be  the 
proper  post  for  regimental  headquarters  and  for  the  supply  train,  which 
are  two  hundred  and  fifty  miles  out  of  place  at  Fort  Suelling. 

FORT  AVADSWORTH. 

Seventy-six  miles  west  of  south  from  Fort  Abercrombie,  and  some 
thirty  miles  from  the  western  boundary  of  Minnesota,  is  placed  Fort 
Wadsworth,  nearly  surrounded  by  small  lakes,  and  twenty  miles  within 
the  hill  country  known  as  the  coteau  of  the  Missouri.  It  is  about 
thirty  miles  from  the  valley  of  the  James  River,  an  old  and  favorite 
resort  of  the  Indians  west. 

This  post  is  west  of  and  near  the  head  of  the  route  of  the  Minnesota 
I  fiver.  Fort  Ransom,  sixty-five  miles  north  of  this  post,  is  upon  the 
same  route,  and  at  its  point  of  departure  from  the  great  western  bend 
of  the  Chene  (Cheyenne)  for  Fort  Rice  or  Fort  Stevenson.  These  posts 
were  fixed  when  that  was  regarded  as  the  best  route  to  the  Missouri  j 
but  more  recently  ideas  have  changed.  The  railroad  from  St.  Paul  to 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     17 

the  northwest  has  deprived  the  Minnesota  River  route  of  any  signifi- 
cance whatever,  and  the  greatest  facilities  for  reaching  the  Missouri 
River  are  found  to  be  higher  up  toward  Fort  Totten  or  Miuni-Wakari 
Lake. 

•  Fort  Wadsworth  is  situated  on  the  borders  of  an  Indian  reservation, 
and  has  importance  as  a  police  station,  besides  being  west  of  the  settle- 
ments and  defensively  situated  with  respect  to  a  protection  of  them 
from  hostile  Indians  from  the  west. 

Hospital. — A  good  brick  building,  in  fine  order  generally,  is  used  as 
a  hospital. 

Storehouses. — Ample,  of  stone ;  in  tolerable  order. 

Barracks  and  quarters. — The  soldiers'  barracks  are  of  stone ;  require 
repairs  to  floor  and  lathing  and  plastering  overhead ;  iron  bedsteads 
needed. 

Officer^  quarters. — Ample,  of  brick.  One  building  needs  some  atten- 
tion and  repairs. 

Guard-home. — Too  large  for  the  garrison,  and  needs  a  floor;  built  of 
brick. 

Magazine. — A  very  fine  one  of  brick,  in  good  order. 

Wood. — Obtained  with  difficulty  by  contract.  The  orders  in  regard 
to  wood  at  this  post  are  not  carried  out.  The  post  trader  had  been 
allowed  to  cut  some  two  hundred  cords,  while  the  garrison  obtains  wood 
with  difficulty. 

Hay. — Hay  is  obtained  by  contract.  It  was  of  fair  quality,  but  not 
properly  stacked,  nor  was  the  fence  around  the  stacks  put  up.  The 
butchers'  herd  and  other  cattle  had  access  to  the  stacks.  The  quar- 
termaster, Lieutenant  Allanson,  had  receipted  for  some  three  hundred 
tons  of  worthless  stack  bottoms  and  refuse,  trampled-down  and  rotten 
hay,  to  Lieutenant  J.  D.  Geohegan,  of  the  Tenth  United  States  Infan- 
try. Lieutenant  Geohegan  failed  to  transfer  the  money  which  he  re- 
ceived (some  $900)  from  the  Indian  agent,  for  14,040  pounds  of  corn  of 
the  Quartermaster's  .Department,  sold  to  the  Indian  agent,  Dr.  Daniels. 
He  took  Lieutenant  Allanson's  receipt  for  the  corn  sold,  but  has  since 
corrected  it  by  receipting  for  that  amount,  but  not  by  transferring  the 
money  and  dropping  the  grain.  Lieutenant  Geohegan  transfers  the 
grain  to  Fort  Mclntosh,  Texas,  where  he  is  serving. 

The  land  around  Fort  Wadsworth  is  good  ;  grass  is  abundant ;  wood 
scarce ;  water  poor.  An  excellent  bed  of  suitable  clay,  for  making  a 
fine  quality  of  cream-colored  bricks,  underlies  the  post.  Limestone,  in 
the  form  of  boulders,  is  scattered  over  the  surrounding  country. "  A 
good  lime-kiln  exists  at  the  post,  brick-machines  for  making  brick,  &c. 
There  are  sixteen  mules  in  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  and  thirty- 
five  horses  with  the  mounted  force.  There  are  also  twelve  oxen  worked 
at  various  kinds  of  hauling. 

It  will  be  observed  that  Forts  Abercrombie,  Ransom,  and  Wadsworth, 
being  joined  by  straight  lines,  form  a  triangle  of  about  seventy  miles 
to  the  side,  (or  two  days  apart,)  that  possesses  considerable  strength 
from  the  mutual  assistance  that  may  be  given,  and  this  triangle  covers 
the  opening,  as  it  were,  between  the  Minnesota  and  Red  River  of  the 
North.  The  roads  connecting  these  posts  are  across  the  prairies,  now 
properly  staked  and  marked,  so  that  they  may  be  traversed  in  winter 
without  the  risk  of  loss  of  life  that,  unhappily,  has  occurred  in  times 
past. 

It  may  be  well  to  suggest  that  an  intermediate  .station  would  be  an 
advantage  between  Ransom  and  Wadsworth,  at  Spring  Creek,  two  miles 
S.  Ex.  Doc.  8 2 


18     RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

from  the  foot  of  the  coteau  on  that  road.     The  crossing  of  that  creek 
needs  repairs. 

Civilians  authorized:  1  guide  and  interpreter,  at  $75  per  month;  1 
guide,  at  $35 ;  1  blacksmith,  at  $60  per  mouth. 

FORT  RANSOM. 

This  post  is  at  the  north  western  apex  of  the  triangle  already  noticed. 
and  is  on  the  circuitous  but  wet-season  route  from  Fort  Abercrombie 
to  Totten,  as  it  may  be  said  to  flank  to  the  west  all  the  intermediate 
and  difficult  streams.  From  Abercrombie  to  Totten  by  this  road  is 
two  hundred  miles  of  good  road,  Ransom  being  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
six  miles  from  Totten. 

Fort  Hansom  was  established  June  18,  1867,  and  has  been  constructed 
within  the  past  two  years.  Brevet  Major  General  A.  H.  Terry  desig- 
nated to  Brevet  Major  G.  H.  Crosman,  Tenth  United  States  Infantry, 
the  site  for  the  post,  but  the  latter  did  not  occupy  the  place  indicated  by 
the  department  commander. 

This  is  an  outpost  of  little  importance  at  present.  It  is  on  the  Chey- 
enne, at  a  noted  landmark,  (Bears'  Den  Hillock,)  about  twenty-five 
miles  distant  west  from  the  direct  road  from  Fort  Totten  to  Fort  Aber- 
crombie, and  serves  partially  to  cover  that  road. 

Barracks  and  quarters. — There  are  sufficient  quarters  for  the  officers  ; 
one  block,  however,  needing  a  new  roof  upon  one  side ;  quarters  for 
men,  &c.,  sufficient.  There  is  a  good  hospital,  magazine,  and  store- 
house ;  the  latter  was  in  superior  order.  Some  lathing  and  plastering 
is  required  to  finish  the  post.  At  this  post  the  public  laths  were  used 
to  make  chicken  yards,  and  good  lumber  and  pine  shingles  had  been 
used  to  cover  new  houses.  There  is  a  steam  saw-mill  at  this  post,  ex- 
posed to  the  weather,  except  some  old  canvas  was  thrown  over  the 
engine. 

The  wood  delivered  upon  contract  was  good  and  well  piled.  The  con- 
tractor had,  however,  been  put  to  many  inconveniences.  He  was  made 
to  get  his  wood  clear  of  the  reservation,  and  to  graze  and  herd  his  stock 
at  a  distance  from  the  post.  He  stated  that,  in  conversation,  he  was 
told  by  the  commanding  officer  that  the  chief  quartermaster  had  no 
authority  to  draw  the  contract  so  that  vouchers  might  be  given  for 
any  part  until  the  whole  was  delivered,  &c.  Since  my  inspection,  Mr. 
Myrick  informs  me  that  he  (the  commanding  officer)  has  ordered  his 
(Myrick's)  agent,  who  is  getting  wood,  off  the  post.  The  embarrass- 
ments to  supplying  wood,  with  an  officer  who  is  so  difficult  to  suit,  are 
so  great  that  it  is  recommended  that  the  wood,  from  this  date,  be  cut 
at  this  post  and  hauled  by  the  troops.  The  company  has  been  filled  up; 
there  is  no  other  labor  required,  and  it  is  believed  to  be  for  the  interest 
of  the  service  that  this  course  be  pursued. 

Water  is  about  1,500  feet  distant,  and  is  hauled  by  the  troops.  Wood 
is  abundant  and  convenient,  and  grazing  and  hay  all  that  is  desired. 

Civilians  authorized:  1  blacksmith,  at  $75  per  mouth;  1  guide  and 
interpreter,  at  $75  per  month. 

FORT  TOTTEN. 

This  post  is  on  Miuni-Wakan  Lake,  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  miles 
north  of  Fort  Ransom,  one  hundred  and  twenty-six  miles  a  little  north 
of  east  from  Fort  Stevenson,  on  the  Missouri  River,  and  about  seventy 
miles  east  of  Mouse  River.  This  post  is  well  situated  in  a  tract  of  roll- 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     19 

ing  country,  with  convenient  wood,  water,  and  grass,  and  a  fair  agricul- 
tural region  near  it.  A  large  reservation  of  Sioux  is  here  located.  The 
post  is  in  process  of  construction,  with  a  greater  degree  of  permanence 
than  most  of  the  posts  in  the  department. 

Barracks  and  quarters. — The  quarters  for  the  officers  are  to  be  of  brick, 
plain  and  comfortable,  very  well  adapted  to  this  severe  climate.  It  is 
expected  that  the  commanding  officer's  quarters,  and  at  least  quarters 
for  six  other  officers,  will  be  completed  this  season,  with  weather  that 
is  tolerably  favorable. 

Barracks. — Barracks  for  two  companies,  of  brick,  are  in  a  condition 
so  that  they  may  be  occupied  this  season.  One  of  the  buildings  built 
under  the  superintendence  of  Captain  J.  V.  Furey,  assistant  quarter- 
master, last  year,  does  not  conform  to  the  plan,  the  roof  being  con- 
siderably lower,  with  less  pitch  than  the  specification  and  plans  call  for. 
The  one  built  this  season  under  the  superintendence  of  Lieutenant  P. 
M.  Thome,  Twenty-second  United  States  Infantry,  is  much  better. 

Storehouses. — Two  storehouses,  one  for  subsistence  stores,  and  one 
for  quartermaster's  stores,  were  erected  last  year  under  the  superintend- 
ence of  Captain  Fnrey.  Each  one  was  placed  30  feet  from  the  position 
called  for  by  the  plan,  and  only  one  side  of  each  of  these  buildings,  as 
to  openings  and  doors,  conformed  to  the  plan.  Upon  the  outside  of 
each  building  but  one  door  is  placed,  and  no  other  opening.  These 
buildings  are  poorly  constructed  in  some  respects.  The  foundations 
constructed  under  the  direction  of  this  officer  are  defective.  A  careful 
inspection  developed  the  fact  of  great  improvement  thus  far  under  the 
new  contractor.  Nothing,  however,  but  constant  watchfulness  will  se- 
cure the  kind  of  service  due  the  Government.  The  old  post  is,  in  a 
measure,  unfit  for  longer  occupation.  There  are  many  things  required 
to  be  done,  but  the  garrison  is  so  small  in  enlisted  men  present  that  an 
excuse  was  ready  for  every  omission. 

Fuel  is  furnished  by  contract,  hay  the  same ;  but  grain  has  heretofore 
been  furnished  from  St.  Louis,  via  Stevenson,  with  heavy  cost  and  con- 
stant loss  for  want  of  proper  storage  at  Fort  Stevenson,  and  for  other 
reasons. 

Fort  Totten  can  only  be  supplied  with  certainty  and  economically  from 
Fort  Abercrombie.  The  escorts  demanded  for  the  trains  from  Fort 
Stevenson  exhaust  the  garrison ;  none  will  be  needed  from  Abercrombie 
to  Totten. 

The  various  buildings  designed  for  the  post  of  Fort  Totten  may  all 
be  completed  another  season.  They  will  all  be  needed,  and  economy 
demands  that  the  post  buildings  be  prosecuted  to  completion  as  rapidly 
as  possible. 

Excellent  limestone  exists  about  this  post  in  the  form  of  erratic  blocks 
or  boulders,  and  it  is  possible  that  lime  for  the  neighboring  posts  can 
readily  be  provided  from  here.  The  lime  is  of  excellent  quality  j  good 
clay  is  found  for  making  brick. 

No  stone  is  found  in  place  until  within  about  thirty  miles  of  Mouse 
River.  Here,  in  a  tributary  of  the  Cheue,  near  its  head,  is  an  out-crop 
of  sandstone  lying  in  the  side  hill  at  an  angle  of  nearly  45°,  some  forty 
or  fifty  yards  long.  Limestone  in  place  is  reported  in  the  bed  of  the 
Otter  Tail  River,  some  twenty  or  thirty  miles  from  Fort  Abercrombie. 
No  other  rocks  in  situ  have  been  observed  between  that  point  and  the 
Missouri  River,  the  entire  rock  formation  being  buried  under  a  mass  of 
drift.  A  well  bored  at  Fort  Totten  to  the  depth  of  70  feet  did  not  pass 
entirely  through  the  drift  formation. 

A  post  at  the  south  bend  of  Mouse  River  will  be  nearly  on  the  direct 


20     RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

road  to  Fort  Buford  from  Fort  Totten,  and  will  render  the  military  oc- 
cupation of  this  country  very  complete.  It  can  be  readily  supplied  from 
Fort  Totten,  distance  about  one  hundred  and  ten  miles.  It  can  be 
readily  communicated  with  also  from  Fort  Stevenson,  within  a  supposed 
radius  of  seventy  miles.  Such  a  post  will  be  one  hundred  and  fifty  or 
one  hundred  and  sixty  miles  from  Fort  Buford. 

This  inspection  shows  that  15  good  horses  are  required  at  Fort  Totten, 
12  at  Fort  Ransom,  12  at  Fort  Wadsworth,  and  12  at  Fort  Abercrombie. 
There  is  forage  enough  for  them  were  they  furnished  immediately,  as 
they  might  be  by  purchase. 

When  the  companies  are  filled  up  with  recruits  the  enlisted  men  can 
readily  supply  at  all  these  posts  the  hay  and  wood  required.  The  men 
who  are  to  take  charge  of  the  horses  and  do  the  scouting  ought  to  be 
picked  or  selected  for  their  fitness  for  this  service. 

The  employment  of  guides  at  posts  where  Indian  scouts  are  stationed 
is  an  unnecessary  expense,  for  the  Indians,  with  their  interpreter,  can 
go  anywhere  and  answer  all  the  purpose  of  guides  ;  otherwise  their  em- 
ployment loses  an  element  of  its  value — economy. 

At  all  the  posts  there  was  a  general  want  of  attention  to  the  interests 
of  the  service,  and  to  duty  on  the  part  of  subalterns  doing  duty  in  the 
quartermaster's  department,  except  at  Fort  Ransom.  In  most  cases 
want  of  experience  might  be  urged;  but  usually  this  was  associated 
with  indifference  or  want  of  fitness. 

The  posts  in  this  district  all  require  wells  except  Fort  Totten.  It 
would  be  an  excellent  thing  to  plant  trees  about  them  for  shade  pur- 
poses, and  to  test  the  matter  of  raising  trees.  A  very  little  attention 
would  provide  trees  that  would  be  of  considerable  protection  in  winter 
to  break  off  the  storms.  For  classification  of  civilian  employe's,  see 
Special  Field  Orders  No.  38,  accompanying  this  report. 


RECONNOISSANCK  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 


21 


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p.>).Hi.l|u<i.>  [MMi.tt  (i>  A'IHI[I:II(V) 

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pa^BJJUOO  A«q  J(i   A'|I)lll!ll?) 

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paptujuoj  ujuXS  joA'iiiuiMii1) 

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:  :  :  :  i  i  IfrJ.    : 

Fort  Snelling,  Minnesota  

Fort  Ellis,  Montana  Territory  

Fort  Shaw,  Montana  Territory  
Camp  Cooke,  Montana  Territory.. 
Fort  Bnford,  Dakota  Territory  
Fort  Steveaon.  Dakota  Territory  .  . 
Fort  Rice,  Dakota  Territory  
Fort  Sully,  Dakote  Territory  
Fort  Randall,  Dakota  Territory.  .  . 
Fort  Abercrombie,  Dakota  Territo 
Fort  AVadsworth,  Dakota  Territor 

Fort  Ransom,  Dakota  Territory  .  .  . 

Fort  Totten.  Dakota  Territory  
Fort  Ripley,  Minnesota  

22     KECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

For  classification  of  civilian  employes  authorized,  see  special  field 
orders  accompanying. 
Kespectfnllv  submitted. 

S.  B.  HOLABIRD, 
Deputy  Quartermaster  General  United  States  Army, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Department  of  Dakota. 
Brevet  Brigadier  General  O.  D.  GREENE, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General,  Department  of  Dakota, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

Civilian  employes  now  at  Fort  Abercrombie,  Dakota  Territory,  con- 
nected with  the  public  train  at  that  post,  viz :  1  blacksmith,  at  $75  per 
month;  1  chief  wagon-master,  at  $100  per  month;  2  wagon-masters,  at 
$65  per  month ;  2  assistant  wagon-masters,  at  $45  per  month ;  G3  team- 
sters, at  $30  per  month. 

Fort  Snelling,  Minnesota :  1  clerk,  at  $140  per  month ;  1  blacksmith, 
at  $75  per  month ;  1  forage-master,  at  $45  per  month  ;  1  laborer,  at  $30 
per  month ;  1  carpenter,  at  $75  per  month ;  14  teamsters,  at  from  $25  to 
$30  per  mouth. 

Sioux  City,  Iowa :  Office  of  assistant  quartermaster :  1  chief  clerk, 
at  $150  per  month :  1  laborer,  at  $50  per  month. 

S.  B.  HOLABIRD, 
Deputy  Quartermaster  General  United  States  Army. 


Supplementary  report. 

DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 
OFFICE  OF  CHIEF  QUARTERMASTER, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  October  23,  18G9. 

RESERVATIONS. 

I  have  the  honor  to  report  that,  so  far  as  known,  the  reservations  of 
the  following  posts  have  never  been  declared  by  his  Excellency  the 
President,  namely :  Fort  Abercrombie,  Dakota  Territory  ;  Fort  Wads- 
worth,  Dakota  Territory  ;  Fort  Ransom,  Dakota  Territory  ;  Fort  Tot- 
ten,  Dakota  Territory ;  Fort  Stevenson,  Dakota  Territory  ;  Fort  Rice, 
Dakota  Territory  ;  Fort  Sully,  Dakota  Territory  ;  Fort  Buford,  Dakota 
Territory ;  Fort  Benton,  Montana  Territory ;  Fort  Shaw,  Montana 
Territory  ;  Fort  Ellis,  Montana  Territory.  Upon  all  these  posts,  except 
Fort  Benton,  very  heavy  expenditures  have  been  made,  and  the  import- 
ance of  immediate  action  cannot  be  too  strongly  represented.  Until 
these  posts  have  become  set  aside  as  legal  reservations,  and  thus  brought 
under  the  act  of  Congress  in  regard  to  squatters,  the  present  order  to 
eject  this  class  of  persons  from  the  reservation  can  only  be  applied  by 
post  commanders  at  their  personal  legal  risk,  for  they  have  no  legal 
jurisdiction  over  any  of  the  posts  named. 

Maps  of  the  reservations  are  inclosed  as  follows :  Fort  Shaw,  Fort 
Benton,  Fort  Buford,  Fort  Stevenson,  Fort  Rice,  Fort  Sully,  Fort 
Ransom,  Fort  Totten. 

Funds. — It  is  my  duty  to  report  that  we  have  been  constantly  embar- 
rassed this  season  for  want  of  funds.  Since  May  1,  1869,  our  estimates 
have  asked  for  $364,985  15 ;  we  have  received  $60,000.  (See  schedule 
attached.) 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     23 

From  this  it  appears  that  estimates  and  requisitions  may  be  made 
according  to  law  and  regulations  to  meet  our  exact  wants,  and  although 
the  money  be  in  the  Treasury  there  seems  to  be  no  corresponding 
obligations  recognized  by  the  department  of  supply  to  fill  them.  In 
this  manner  the  public  creditors  in  Montana  and  here  have  suffered 
severely.  The  hauling  (route  2fo.  4)  contractor's  assignee,  J.  B.  Wilson, 
has  been  compelled  to  pledge  his  vouchers  and  pay  1  per  cent,  per 
month  to  the  Second  National  Bank,  this  season,  to  carry  on  his  busi- 
ness. The  contract  is  very  low,  and  this  fact  requires  no  comment. 

The  local  military  authorities  in  Montana  constantly  represent  that  the 
reason  they  pay  seemingly  such  high  rates  for  everything  is  the  distrust  of 
parties  as  to  the  time  of  payment.  The  public  credit  of  the  Quarter- 
master's Department  is  thus  seriously  wounded.  By  the  terms  of  the 
Montana  hauling  contract  the  contractor  should  be  paid  in  legal  tenders 
at  Fort  Shaw,  Montana  Territory. 

There  are  known  to  have  been  employes,  hired  by  contract  in  St. 
Louis,  who  had  served  their  contract  terms  in  that  distant  region  with- 
out being  paid  a  cent  of  their  pay.  It  is  within  your  knowledge  that  a 
man  who  had  worked  fifteen  months  and  had  his  vouchers  with  him, 
called  upon  me  at  CampCooke  for  payment;  otherwise  he  had  painfully 
to  work  his  passage  to  St.  Louis  hence,  with  vouchers  of  some  $1,500  in 
his  possession;  (had  the  present  order  about  vouchers  then  been  in 
existence,  it  is  not  seen  what  he  could  have  done;)  he  could  only  part 
with  his  vouchers  at  a  ruinous  discount,  thus  tempting  all  the  followers 
of  the  Army  to  enter  into  this  sort  of  traffic. 

As  money  is  not  furnished,  the  estimates  necessarily  increase  in  vol- 
ume, and  now  is  the  time  when  all  the  contractors  for  regular  supplies 
are  finishing  their  contracts  and  are  clamoring  for  their  first  payment. 

Upon  this  subject  I  have  recently  conversed  with  General  Ekin,  who 
was  out  here  from  the  Quartermaster  General's  office  inspecting.  He 
stated  that  he  had  charge  of  the  financial  matters,  and  controlled  the 
furnishing  of  money.  I  gathered  from  his  remarks  that  he  was  not 
governed  by  the  estimates,  but  exercised  his  judgment  or  discretion  by 
sending  only  what  he  deemed  necessary,  upon  an  examination  of  the 
returns  of  funds.  This  may  possess  great  advantages  where  extrava- 
gance is  alleged ;  but  where  an  economical  expenditure  of  the  public 
funds  in  their  current  use  is  acknowledged  it  seems  uncalled  for  to  have 
the  revised  and  approved  estimates  of  the  department  and  division 
commanders  thus  set  aside.  I  feel  greatly  encouraged  that  this  state  of 
things  will  not  continue.  General  Ekin  stated  that  there  was  plenty  of 
money  appropriated ;  that  it  was  the  desire  of  the  Quartermaster  Gen- 
eral that  the  public  creditors  should  have  it,  and  for  that  reason  the 
Quartermaster  General  had  forbidden  the  issue  of  vouchers,  &c.,  and 
further  that  he  would  see  himself  that  we  had  money  sent  to  us  for  cur- 
rent use. 

The  Quartermaster's  Department  requires  a  depository  in  Montana, 
and  an  officer  there  who  can  be  intrusted  with  sufficient  funds  to  pay 
our  debts.  This  without  delay. 

Such  money  as  has  been  furnished  has  been  distributed,  as  far  as 
practicable,  and  this  very  distribution  delays  our  requisitions  ;  for  funds 
sent  to  the  distant  posts  have  to  be  borne  on  hand  until  receipts  are 
returned,  and  this  fact  is  construed  to  show  that  we  are  in  funds ;  thus 
is  the  estimate  in  no  way  regarded  as  a  foundation  for  correct  action, 
but  other  evidence  is  taken  that  can  only  be  interpreted  with  all  the 
facts  and  circumstances  stated.  The  estimates  are  required  by  the 
department  commanders  three  months  in  advance;  they  are  required  in 


24 


KECON7NOISSAXCE    IN    THE    DEPARTMENT    OF    DAKOTA. 


great  detnil,  ;uid  in  triplicate,  and  every  paragraph  of  the  regulations, 
especially  1  <)."><»,  is  conformed  to  ;  nothing  further  seems  in  our  power  at 
this  time. 

The  orders  transmitted  to  the  Quartermaster  General,  which  were 
published  from  time  to  time  during  your  inspection,  will  demonstrate 
that  abuses  and  neglects,  so  far  as  it  was  possible  at  this  time,  have 
been  corrected.  In  many  respects  a  happy  improvement  is  manifest 
within  the  last  two  years. 

The  many  changes  in  the  reduction  of  the  Army,  however,  has  made 
new  instructions  and  exertions  necessary. 
Respectfully  submitted. 

S.  B.  HOLABIRD, 
Deputy  Quartermaster  General,  United  States  Army, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Department  of  Dakota. 

SCHEDULE. 


Amount  of  funds  required  by  estimates, 
since  May  1,  1869. 


Amount  of  funds  furnished  since  M:r    I. 
1869. 


1869. 
May  1  $43,16282 

1869. 
September*. 

| 
$10,000  00 

June     30,19459 

October  31. 

50  000  00 

July    31  181  42 

August  63,  070  90 

September.                                   144  826  34 

October  31  52,  549  08 

Total            364  985  15 

Total 

60  000  00 

*  Received  by  Brevet  Major  A.  G.  Robinson,  A.  Q.  M.,  U.  S.  A. 

S.  B.  HOLABIRD, 
Deputy  Quartermaster  General  United  States  Army. 

[Indorsement.] 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  MISSOURI, 

OFFICE  CHIEF  QUARTERMASTER, 
Chicago,  Illinois,  November  20,  1869. 

Respectfully  forwarded. 

The  following  points  mentioned  within  seem  to  be  of  much  interest, 
and  the  attention  of  the  Quartermaster  General  is  especially  invited  to 
them : 

Port  Ellis :  Large  coal-beds  of  easy  access  within  four  miles.  Best 
way  to  supply  this  post  during  the  season  of  navigation,  via  Muscle- 
shell  River. 

Fort  Shaw:  Coal  within  nine  or  fifteen  miles. 

Fort  Benton :  Storehouse  needed.  I  will  here  remark  that  it  is  under- 
stood by  this  office  that  arrangements  are  being  made  by  General  Han- 
cock, commanding  Department  of  Dakota,  to  lease  for  Government 
use  the  buildings  at  Fort  Bentoii  owned  by  the  Korthwestern  Fur  Com- 
pany. 

Camp  Cooke :  Large  surplus  of  iron,  rope,  spare  parts  of  wagons, 
tools,  &c.,  on  hand.  I  have  written  to  General  Holabird  on  this  subject 


RECOXNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     25 

to  have  these  surplus  articles  properly  disposed  of.  A  copy  of  my  let- 
ter is  herewith  inclosed,  marked  A.  Wood  enough  on  hand  to  last  a 
year  longer. 

Fort  Buford :  A  new  officers'  quarters  required  immediately,  and, 
eventually,  a  new  hospital  and  company  quarters ;  also  a  shingle- 
machine. 

Fort  Stevenson  :  Granary  and  magazine  required. 

Fort  Rice :  Government  teams  have  hauled  wood  for  the  wood  con- 
tractor for  65  cents  per  cord.  A  copy  of  my  letter  to  General  Holabird 
to  have  such  additional  amount  as  may  be  reasonable  and  just  charged, 
to  contractor  is  herewith  inclosed,  marked  B.  Cisterns  needed. 

Fort  Sully:  Grain  storehouse  not  properly  supported;  will  fall  to 
pieces  if  remedy  is  not  soon  applied. 

Fort  Randall :  Two  sets  company  quarters  must  be  erected  as  speedily 
as  practicable,  if  the  post  is  to  be  kept  up,  and  next  a  subsistence  store- 
house ;  also  a  guard-house  and  prison-room  required.  Ferry-boat  needed. 

Fort  Abercroinbie :  Quarters  required  for  chaplain  and  assistant  quar- 
termaster ;  arrangements  needed  to  guard  against  fire. 

Fort  Wads  worth :  Iron  bedsteads  required.  Lieutenant  J.  D.  Geo- 
ghegan  failed  to  transfer  about  $900,  which  he  received  for  sale  of  corn, 
to  Dr.  Daniels,  Indian  agent.  Lieutenant  Geoghegan  is  now  at  Fort 
Mclutosh,  Texas.  If  he  has  failed  to  account  for  this  money,  I  respect- 
fully recommend  the  stoppage  of  his  pay  until  he  does  account  for  it. 
It  is  presumed  by  this  office  that  action  has  been  or  is  about  to  be  taken 
at  Headquarters  Department  of  Dakota,  on  such  of  the  foregoing  and 
other  items  of  this  report  as  may  be  of  due  importance.  If  the  sugges- 
tions of  General  Holabird,  as  to  construction  and  repair  of  buildings, 
cisterns,  &c.,  are  approved  by  the  commanding  general  Department  of 
Dakota,  it  is  expected  that  the  proper  plans  and  estimates  will  be  pre- 
pared and  forwarded  in  good  season.  So  with  regard  to  the  shingle 
machine  for  Fort  Bufort,  the  ferry-boat  for  Fort  Randall,  and  the  iron 
bedsteads  for  Fort  Wadsworth. 

I  will  to-day  communicate  a  copy  of  this  indorsement  to  General 
Holabird. 

D.  H.  RUCKER, 

Assistant  Quartermaster  General  United  States  Army, 
Chief  Quartermaster  Military  Division  of  the  Missouri* 


A. 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  MISSOURI, 

Office  Chief  Quartermaster,  Chicago,  III.,  November  19,  1869. 

GENERAL:  In  your  inspection  report  of  posts  in  the  Department  of  Dakota,  made- 
October  15,  1869,  to  the  commanding  general  of  that  department,  copy  of  which  waa 
forwarded  by  you  to  the  Quartermaster  General,  through  this  office,  on  the  12th  in- 
stant, referring  to  affairs  at  Camp  Cooke,  you  state,  "A  vast  deal  of  property  has  also 
been  accumulated  in  the  quartermaster's  department,  (at  Camp  Cooke,)  especially  iron, 
rope,  spare  parts  for  wagons,  tools,  &c.,  ten  times  as  much  as  ever  could  be  used."  If 
you  have  not  already  done  so,  please  have  the  proper  papers  prepared  with  a  view  of 
obtaining  authority  for  the  sale  of  such  of  the  above  stores  as  are  unserviceable  and 
not  needed,  and  cause  those  articles  that  are  of  use  to  be  distributed,  on  the  opening 
of  navigation,  to  such  other  posts  on  the  Missouri  River  and  in  Montana  as  you  may 
think  for  the  best  interests  of  the  service. 

The  estimates  for  the  year  ending  June  30,  1871,  of  posts  to  be  thus  supplied  will,  of 
course,  be  modified  accordingly  before  transmitted  to  this  office. 


"26     RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

If  there  is  a  surplus  of  quartermaster's  stores  or  clothing,  camp  and  garrison  equipage 
••a.t  any  other  post  in  the  Department  of  Dakota  that  can  be  sent  elsewhere  to  advantage, 
please  see  that  it  is  done. 

Vci  v  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  H.  RUCKER, 
Assistant  Quartermaster  General  United  States  Army, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Military  Division  Missouri. 
Brigadier  General  S.  B.  HOLABIRD, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Department  of  Dakota,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

A  true  copy  : 

D.  H.  RUCKER, 

Assistant  Quartermaster  General  United  States  Army, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Military  Division  Missouri. 


B. 

HEADQUARTERS  MILITARY  DIVISION  OF  THE  MISSOURI, 

Office  Chief  Quarts-master,  Chicago,  111.,  November  19,  1869. 

GENERAL  :  In  your  inspection  report  of  posts  in  the  Department  of  Dakota,  made 
October  15,  1869,  to  the  commanding  general  of  that  department,  copy  of  which  was 
forwarded  by  you  to  the  Quartermaster  General,  through  this  office,  on  the  12th  in- 
stant, referring  to  the  existence  of  a  contract  for  the  delivery  of  1,000  cords  of  wood  at 
Fort  Rice,  Dakota  Territory,  at  $5  70  per  cord,  you  state  that  "  Captain  George  W.  Hill, 
succeeding  temporarily  to  command  in  the  absence  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Otis,  has 
ordered  the  public  teams  to  haul  the  wood  for  the  contractor  at  65  cents  per  cord,  justi- 
fying himself  by  Order  No.  97,  Adjutant  General's  Office,  Washington,  D.  C.,  1867 ;  a 
most  unjustifiable  proceeding,  since,  if  the  public  teams  can  haul  the  wood,  he  should 
merely  hire  it  cut,  which  can  be  done  for  $2  or  $3  at  the  post."  Paragraph  VII  of  Gen- 
eral Order  No.  97,  above  mentioned,  directs*  that  full  deduction  shall  be  made  for  tin- 
service  in  cases  where,  from  manifest  necessity,  public  means  of  transportation  is  used 
on  the  written  authority  of  the  post  commander  to  enable  contractors  to  fulfill  their 
contracts. 

If,  in  your  opinion,  65  cents  per  cord  is  too  small  a  sum  for  hauling  the  wood  in 
question,  and  you  have  not  already  taken  action  in  the  premises,  you  are  requested  to 
cause  to  be  deducted  from  any  payments  due,  or  that  may  become  due  the  contractor 
for  delivery  of  wood  at  Fort  Rice,  such  additional  amount  for  the  Government  hauling 
as  in  your  conviction  may  be  reasonable  and  just,  reporting  your  action  to  this  office. 
Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

D.  H.  RUCKER, 
Assistant  Quartermaster  General  United  States  Army, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Military  Division  Missouri. 
Brevet  Brigadier  General  S.  B.  HOLABIRD, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Department  of  Dakota,  St.  Paul,  Minnesota. 

A  true  copy  : 

D.  H.  RUCKER, 

Assistant  Quartermaster  General  United  State*  Army, 

Chief  Quartermaster  Military  Dhision  Missouri. 


List  of  papers. 

No.  1. — Plan  of  Fort  Shaw,  Montana  Territory. 

No.  2.— Plan  of  posts  in  district  of  Montana,  including  Fort  Buford  and  proposed 
post  at  mouth  of  Muscleshell  River. 

No.  3. — Plan  of  posts  in  Middle  District. 

No.  4.— Tracing  of  country  in  vicinity  of  Fort  Buford,  Dakota  Territory. 

No.  5.— Reservation  of  Fort  Shaw,  Montana  Territory. 

No.  6.— Reservation  of  Fort  Benton,  Montana  Territory. 

No.  7.— Reservation  of  Fort  Buford,  Dakota  Territory. 

No.  8.— Reservation  of  Fort  Stevenson,  Dakota  Territory. 

No.  9. — Reservation  of  Fort  Rice,  Dakota  Territory. 

No.  10.— Reservation  of  Fort  Sully,  Dakota  Territory. 

No.  11.— Reservation  of  Fort  Totten,  Dakota  Territory. 

No.  12.— Reservation  of  Fort  Ransom,  Dakota  Territory. 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     27 

No.  13. — Reservation  of  Fort  Wadsworth,  Dakota  Territory. 
No.  14. — Tracing  of  Smith's  River,  valley  country,  Montana  Territory. 
No.  15. — File  of  General  Orders,  Headquarters  Department  of  Dakota,  defining  mili- 
tary reserves. 

[NOTE.— Plans  and  tracings.  Nos.  1  to  14,  are  not  printed.] 


No.  15. 

[General  Orders  Xo.  10.] 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 

Fort  Snelling,  Minnesota,  March  7,  1867. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  military  reservation  at  Fort 
Abercrombie,  Dakota  Territory,  is  hereby  established,  according  to  the  map  made  in 
pursuance  of  the  survey  of  November  1866,  and  now  on  file  in  the  office  of  the  chief 
quartermaster  at  these  headquarters,  the  same  to  embrace  five  miles  square. 
By  command  of  Brevet  Major  General  A.  H.  Terry : 

ED.  W.  SMITH, 
lireret  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Captain  Twenty-fourth  United  States  Infantry, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Official: 

R.  CHANDLER, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


[General  Orders  Xo.  41.1 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  October  1,  1867. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  military  reservation  of  Fort 
Wadsworth,  Dakota  Territory,  is  hereby  established  and  defined,  by  the  following 
boundaries,  according  to  the  survey  and  map  made  by  Second  Lieutenant  D.  H.  Kelton, 
Tenth  Infantry,  in  1867,  namely :  Commencing  at  the  flag-staff  at  Fort  Wadsworth,  whose 
latitude  is  45°  43'  30",  and  longitude  97°  30',  running  thence  to  a  point  three  miles 
west  of  the  fort,  thence  due  north  ten  miles,  thence  east  nine  miles,  thence  south  fifteen 
miles,  theuce  west  to  the  intersection  of  a  line  run  south  from  the  west  point,  em- 
bracing a  tract  of  nine  by  fifteen  miles. 

Bv  command  of  Brevet  Major  General  A.  H.  Terry : 

ED.  W.  SMITH, 
Brevet  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Captain  Twenty-fourth  United  States  Infantry, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Oftifial : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


[General  Orders  Xo.  19.1 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OK  DAKOTA, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  June  10,  1868. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  public  lands  inclosed  within, 
the  hereinafter  described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military 
purposes,  and  declared  to  be  the  military  reservation  of  the  post  of  Fort  Stevenson, 
Dakota  Territory : 

The  initial  point  is  on  meridian  of  longitude  101°  30'  west  from  Greenwich,  at  the 
intersection  of  the  wagon  route  from  Fort  Stevenson  to  Fort  Berthold,  Dakota  Terri- 
tory ;  thence  running  north  of  east  in  a  straight  line  ten  miles  to  the  point  at  which 
the  wagon  route  known  as  "  General  Sully's "  crosses  the  west  branch  of  Douglas 
Creek ;  thence  south  of  east  six  and  three-fourths  miles  to  the  point  at  which  the 
"  General  Sully  wagon  route"  crosses  Snake  Creek  ;  thence  southwardly,  following  the 
right  or  west  bank  of  said  Snake  Creek  to  its  mouth,  then  crossing  the  Missouri 
River  and  following  the  right  bank  of  said  river  to  a  point  six  miles  from  the  last- 
mentioned  point ;  thence  due  west  fifteen  and  a  half  miles ;  thence  east  of  north  three 
and  one-half  miles  to  the  point  of  commencement. 

At  the  apex  of  each  of  the  angles  as  above  described  a  square-cut  stone,  1  foot  on  the 


28     RECONNOISSANCE  IX  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

edge  and  3|  feet  in  length,  will  be  firmly  embedded  18  inches  in  the  ground.  On  the 
inner  face  of  each  stone  the  letters  "  U.  S."  will  be  chiseled  in  raised  letters.  On  the 
outer  face  of  each  stone  will  be  painted  the  words  "  Military  Reservation."  The  lines 
as  run  will  be  "  blazed"  as  plainly  as  the  features  of  the  surface  of  the  country  will 
permit. 

P.v  command  of  Brevet  Major  General  Terry: 

O.  D.  GREENE, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Official : 

R.  CHANDLER. 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General? 


[General  Orders  X o.  2L 1 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.. 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  July  16,  1868. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  puplic  lands  inclosed  by  the 
hereinafter  described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military 
purposes,  and  declared  to  be  the  military  reservation  of  the  post  of  Fort  Bufoni. 
Dakota  Territory : 

The  initial  point  is  at  the  intersection  of  the  104th  degree  of  longitude  west  from 
Greenwich  with  the  48th  parallel  of  north  latitude ;  thence  run  south  fifteen  miles ; 
thence  east  fifteen  miles ;  thence  north  thirty  miles  ;  thence  west  thirty  miles ;  thence 
south  thirty  miles ;  thence  east  fifteen  miles ;  at  the  apex  of  each  of  the  angles  of  the 
square  thus  described,  a  square-cut  stone,  1  foot  on  the  edge  and  3f  feet  in  length,  will 
be  firmly  embedded  18  inches  in  the  ground.  On  the  inner  face  of  each  stone  the 
letters  "  U.  S."  will  be  chiseled  in  raised  letters.  On  the  onter  face  of  each  stone  will 
be  painted  the  words  "  Military  Reservation." 

The  post  commander  will  cause  the  lines,  as  herein  described,  to  be  run  without 
delay,  by  an  officer  of  his  command,  and  the  inclosed  area  platted  with  as  much  ac- 
curacy as  the  circumstances  will  permit,  A  copy  of  the  plat  will  be  forwarded  to 
these  headquarters  as  soon  as  made,  for  the  information  and  action  of  the  War  De- 
partment. 

The  chief  quartermaster  of  the  department  will  purchase  a  compass  and  chain,  and 
forward,  with  the  least  delay  practicable,  to  the  commanding  officer  of  Fort  Buford, 
for  use  in  making  the  survey  herein  required. 
By  command  of  Brevet  Major  General  A.  H.  Terrv : 

O.  D.  GREENE, 
A**i*tant  Adjutant  General. 
Official : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


[General  Orders  Xo.  42.] 

HEAI>QUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  May  18,  1869. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  public  lands  inclosed  by  the 
hereinafter  described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military 
.purposes,  and  declared  to  be  the  military  reservation  of  the  post  of  Fort  Ransom  : 

The  initial  point  is  eight  miles  due  south  of  the  southwest  corner  of  the  block-house 
on  the  southwest  angle  of  the  fort;  thence  due  east  five  miles;  thence  due  north  ten 
miles;  thence  due  west  ten  miles ;  thence  due  south  ten  miles;  thence  due  east  five 
miles  to  the  initial  point.  The  corners  are  marked  by  mounds  erected  over  a  post, 
set  in  the  ground,  and  similar  marks  are  made  where  the  line  crosses  the  river. 

Under  the  direction  of  the  post  commander,  at  the  apex  of  each  of  the  angles  of  the 
square  above  described,  a  square-cut  stone,  1  foot  on  the  edge  and  3J  feet  in  length, 
will  be  firmly  embedded  18  inches  in  the  ground.  On  the  inner  face  of  each  stone  the 
letters  "  U.  S."  will  be  chiseled  in  raised  letters  ;  on  the  outer  face  of  each  stone  will  be 
painted,  or  cut,  the  words  "  Military  Reservation." 
By  command  of  Major  General  W.  S.  Hancock : 

O.  D.  GREENE, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 
Official : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     29 

[General  Orders  Xo.  46.] 

HEAIHjrAHTKHS    J  M'.l'A K T.M  KNT   OF    DAKOTA, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  May  24,  1869. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  public  lands  inclosed  by  the 
hereinafter  described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military  pur- 
poses, and  are  declared  to  be  the  military  reservation  of  the  post  of  Fort  Sully,  Dakota 
Territory : 

The  initial  point  is  at  a  limestone  rock,  (set  in  the  side  of  a  hill,  with  the  letter  "R" 
cut  in  its  face,)  five  chains  and  seventy-two  links  south  one  degree  east  of  a  limestone 
rock,  on  the  northwest  face  of  the  basin  of  a  large,  never-failing  spring  near  the  head- 
waters of  Spring  Creek,  which  latter  rock  has  a  hole  drilled  in  its  face,  and  the  letters 
"  U.  S.  R."  marked  upon  it ;  thence  from  the  initial  point  south  sixty -five  degrees  west, 
to  a  point  at  low-water  mark  on  the  eastern  bank  of  an  island,  known  as  Wa-Ka-boju 
Island,  which  point  is  marked  by  a  square-cut  stone  with  the  letters  "U.  S.  R."  cut  in 
its  face;  thence  along  the  eastern  shore  of  said  islands  in  a  southerly  direction  to  the 
southernmost  point  of  the  same,  which  point  is  marked  by  a  square-cut  stone  with  the 
letters  "U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face;  thence  south  sixty-five  degrees  west,  to  a  point  at 
high-water  mark  oil  the  west  bank  of  the  Missouri  River,  which  point  is  marked  by  a 
square-cut  stone  with  the  letters  "  U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face ;  thence  up  and  along  the 
west  bank  of  the  Missouri  river,  as  it  winds,  to  a  point  marked  by  a  square-cut  stone 
with  the  letters  "  U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face,  at  high-water  mark,  on  the  west  bank  of  said 
river,  south  seventy-five  degrees  west  from  a  granite  boulder  on  the  east  bank  of  the 
Missouri  river,  which  boulder  is  marked  with  the  letters  "U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face; 
thence  north,  seventy-five  degrees  east  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  and  three-quarters 
chains,  to  a  limestone  rock  with  the  letter  "  R"  cut  in  its  face ;  thence  south  forty-five 
degrees  east,  eight  hundred  and  eighty-nine  chains  and  forty-five  links  to  a  limestone 
rock  with  the  letter  "R"  cut  in  its  face;  thence  south  sixty-five  degrees  west,  forty- 
one  chains  and  eighty  links  to  the  initial  point,  being  forty-two  square  miles,  or  27,275 
acres,  more  or  less. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Hancock: 

O.  D.  GREENE, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Official : 

R.  CHANDLER, 

Acting  Axxistant  Adjutant  GetieraL 


[General  Orders  Xo.  55.] 

HEADQUAKTEKS  DEPAUTMKXT  OF  DAKOTA, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  June  30,  1869. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  public  lands  inclosed  by  the 
hereinafter  described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military  pur- 
poses, and  are  declared  to  be  the  military  reservation  of  Fort  Totten,  Dakota  Territory : 

The  initial  point  is  at  a  post  in  the  center  of  a  pile  of  stones  on  the  southern  shore  of 
Minni-Wakau  or  Devil's  Lake,  five  miles  and  three  hundred  rods  west  one  degree  north 
from  the  center  of  the  permanent  post ;  thence  south  thirty  degrees  east,  nine  miles  and 
one  hundred  and  ninety-six  rods,  to  a  post  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Chyeune  River; 
thence  southeasterly  along  the  north  bank  of  the  river,  nine  miles  and  one  hundred 
and  eighty-two  rods  to  a  post  also  on  the  north  bank  of  the  Chyenue  river ;  thence  east 
thirty  degrees  north,  four  miles  and  two  hundred  and  fifty-six  rods  to  a  post ;  thence 
north  thirty  degrees  west,  ten  miles  and  one  hundred  and  ninety-two  rods  to  a  post  on 
the  southern  bank  of  Devil's  Lake,  in  the  center  of  a  pile  of  stones ;  thence  along  the 
southern  shore  of  Devil's  Lake  twenty-nine  miles  and  three  hundred  and  sixteen  rods 
to  the  point  of  beginning. 

The  commanding  officer  at  Fort  Totten  will  cause  to  be  erected,  in  place  of  the  posts 
above  described,  permanent  cut  stones,  firmly  embedded  in  the  ground;  on  the  inner 
faces  of  each  stone  the  letters  "  U.  S."  will  be  chiseled  in  raised  letters,  and  on  the  outer 
face  of  each  stone  will  be  painted  or  cut  the  words  "Military  Reservation." 

By  command  of  Major  General  Hancock: 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Ac-tiny  AnsMant  Adjutant  Central. 

Official : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Aciinj  Auf'istint  Adjutant  (Sencral. 


30     RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

(General  Orders  No.  62.1 

HKADQUARTERS  DEI'AKTMKNT  ok-  DAKOTA. 

/      »S7.  Paul,  Miinu'fiota,  July  '23,  1889. 

The  following  gcnci  u\  field  order  is  republished  for  the  information  and  guidance  of 
all  concerned : 

"  [General  Field  Orders  No.  2.] 

"HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 
"In  the  Field,  Benton,  Montana  Territory,  July  5,  1H69. 

"  In  order  that  old  Fort  Benton  may  be  made  use  of  as  a  military  post,  the  following 
reservation  embracing  it  is  declared,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  proper  authority, 
namely : 

"  Take  for  the  initial  point  a  stake  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  fort  lot,  planted  in 
the  fence  along  the  river  street,  five  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  from  the  southwest 
corner  of  Fort  Benton ;  through  this  stake  run  a  due  north  and  south  line  across  the 
river,  extending  it  on  the  north  side  of  the  Missouri,  across  the  Teton,  to  the  Marias. 
Mark  the  intersection  of  this  line  with  the  Marias  River,  thence  follow  along  the  river 
to  its  mouth. 

"Take  a  point  on  the  south  side  of  the  Missouri  River,  opposite  the  point  of  junction 
of  the  Marias,  and  from  this  point  run  due  south  six  miles — this  point  making  the 
southeast  corner  of  the  reservation.  From  this  point  run  due  west,  until  the  first  north 
and  south  line  is  intersected — this  intersection  forming  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
reservation.  This  is  to  exclude  the  cemetery  lot,  as  now  inclosed,  together  Avith  an 
opening  of  its  width  to  the  boundary  line,  on  the  west  side. 
"  By  command  of  Major  General  Hancock : 

"  O.  D.  GREENE, 
"Assistant  Adjutant  General" 
Bv  command  of  Major  General  Hancock : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Official : 

R.  CHANDLER, 

Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


[General  Orders  Xo.  69.] 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  September  14,  1869. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  public  lands  inclosed  by  the  here- 
inafter described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military  pur- 
poses, and  declared  to  be  the  military  reservation  of  Fort  Shaw,  Montana  Territory  : 

The  initial  point  is  at  a  sandstone  marked  with  pits  and  mounds  on  the  verge  of 
the  plateau  north  of  Sun  River,  at  a  point  bearing  north  fifty-two  degrees  west 
from  Sun  River  crossing,  and  north  eight  degrees  east  from  the  northwest  angle  of 
Square  Butte  ;  thence  south  eight  degrees  west,  three  hundred  and  fifty-six  chains  to 
a  post  marked  "  U.  S.  M.  R.,"  with  three  pits  and  mound ;  thence  south  fifty-eight  and 
a  quarter  degrees  west,  three  hundred  and  four  and  thirty-nine  hundreths  chains,  to 
the  summit  of  a  conical  peak  of  granite  rock  called  the  "  Nipple ; "  thence  north  sixty- 
four  degrees  fifteen  minutes  west,  two  hundred  sixteen  and  ninety  hundredths  chains; 
thence  west  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  chains ;  thence  south  seventy  six  degrees  and 
forty-five  minutes  west,  ninety-one  and  sixty-eight  hundredths  chains,  to  a  sandstone 
marked  "  U.  S.  M.  R.,''  and  a  monument  of  stone,  being  the  southwest  angle  of  the 
reservation ;  thence  north  thirty-three  degrees  fifteen  minutes  west,  three  hundred  and 
seventeen  chains  to  a  sandstone  and  monument  of  stone  erected  on  a  high  bluff,  being  the 
northwest  angle  of  the  reservation  ;  thence  north  sixty-four  and  a  quarter  degrees  east, 
one  hundred  and  seventy  huudredths  chains;  thence  north  eighty-six  degrees  and  fif- 
teen minutes  east,  two  hundred  and  eighty  chains  to  a  sandstone  marked  "U.  S.  M. 
R.,"  and  a  mound  of  gravel  and  boulders ;  thence  north  eighty-eight  degrees  fifteen 
minutes  east,  fifty -six  chains  to  a  sandstone  and  monument  of  stone ;  thence  north 
sixty-seven  degrees  east,  two  hundred  and  thirty-nine  chains  ;  thence  north  eighty-six 
degrees  and  fifteen  minutes  east,  two  hundred  and  seventy-six  and  thirty-two  hun- 
dredths chains  to  the  northeast  angle  of  the  reservation,  the  place  of  beginning. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Hancock  : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Official : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA.     31 

[General  Orders  No.  77.] 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 

St.  1'aitl,  Minnesota,  Nortmber  6,  1869. 

General  Orders  No.  62,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters,  is  modified  as  follows : 
In  order  that  old  Fort  Beutou  may  be  made  use  of  as  a  military  post,  the  following 
reservation  embracing  it  is  declared,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War. 
namely : 

Take  for  the  initial  point  a  stake  in  the  southwest  corner  of  the  fort  lot,  planted  in 
the  fence  along  the  river  street,  five  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  from  the  southwest 
corner  of  Fort  Benton — through  thfs  stake  run  a  due  north  and  south  line  across  the 
river,  extending  it  on  the  north  side  of  the  Missouri  to  the  Teton  river.  Upon  this 
north  and  south  line  measure  a  distance  of  five  hundred  yards,  south  from  the  south 
bank  of  the  Missouri  River,  through  which  point  run  an  east  and  west  line  extending 
east  one  mile  from  the  point  last  determined  ;•  thence  north  to  the  Teton  River,  thence 
along  the  bank  of  said  river  to  the  intersection  of  the  north  and  south  line  herein  men- 
tioned, thence  south  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

The  commanding  officer  of  Fort  Beuton  will  cause  to  be  erected  permanent  cut 
stones,  firmly  embedded  in  the  ground,  at  each  of  the  points  heretofore  described  ;  on 
the  inner  faces  of  each  stone  the  letters  "  U.  S."  will  be  painted  or  cut,  and  on  the  outer- 
face  of  each  stone  the  words  "  Military  Reservation." 
By  command  of  Major  General  Hancock : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General* 
Official : 

E.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General* 


[General  Orders  No.  79.] 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 

Ht.  Paul,  Minnesota,  November  13,  1869. 

General  OrdersNo.  46,  current  series,  from  these  headquarters,  is  amended  as  follows  r 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  public  lauds  inclosed  by  the  here- 
inafter described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military  pur- 
poses, and  are  declared  to  be  the  military  reservation  of  the  post  of  Fort  Sully,  Dakota 
Territory : 

The  initial  point  is  at  a  limestone  rock,  (set  in  the  side  of  a  hill,  with  the  letter  "  R'* 
cut  in  its  face,  five  chains  and  seventy-two  links  south  one  degree  east  of  a  limestone- 
rock  on  the  northwest  face  of  the  basin  of  a  large,  never-failing  spring  near  the  head- 
waters of  Spring  Creek,  which  latter  rock  has  a  hole  drilled  in  its  face,  and  the  letters. 
"  U.  S.  R."  marked  upon  it ;  thence  from  the  initial  point  south  sixty-five  degrees  west 
to  a  point  at  low-water  mark  on  the  eastern  bank  of  an  island,  known  as  Wa-Ka-boju 
Island,  which  point  is  marked  by^a  square  cut  stone  with  the  letters  "  U.  S.  R."  cut  in 
its  face  ;  thence  along  the  eastern  shore  of  said  island  in  a  southerly  direction  to  the 
southernmost  point  of  the  same,  which  point  is  marked  by  a  square  cut  stone  with  the 
letters  "  U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face ;  thence  south  sixty-five  degress  west  to  a  point  across, 
the  Missouri  River,  distant  one-half  a  mile  from  the  center  of  the  river  channel,  which 
point  is  marked  by  a  square  cut  stone  with  the  letters  "  U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face  ;  thence 
up  and  along  the  west  bank  of  the  Missouri  River,  as  it  winds,  parallel  to  the  center  of 
the  river  channel  and  half  a  mile  distant  therefrom,  to  a  point  marked  by  a  square  cut 
stone  with  the  letters  "  U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face,  which  last-mentioned  point  is  south 
seventy-five  degrees  west  from  a  granite  boulder  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Missouri  River, 
marked  with  the  letters  "  U.  S.  R."  cut  in  its  face  ;  thence  north  seventy-five  degree* 
east  one  hundred  and  ninety -four  and  three-quarters  chains,  to  a  limestone  rock  with 
the  letter  "  R"  cut  in  its  face  ;  thence  south  forty-five  degrees  east  eight  hundred  and 
eighty-nine  chains  and  forty-five  links  to  a  limestone  rock  with  the  letter  "  R"  cut  iu 
its  face  ;  thence  south  sixty-five  degrees  west  forty-one  chains  and  eighty  links  to  the 
initial  point,  being  forty-two  square  miles,  or  27,275  acres,  more  or  less. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Hancock: 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Official: 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General* 


32     RECONNOISSANCE  IN  THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA. 

[General  Orders  No.  93.] 

HEADQUARTERS  DEPARTMENT  OF  DAKOTA, 

St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  December  17,  183'J. 

Subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Secretary  of  War,  the  public  lands  inclosed  by  the 
hereinafter  described  survey  are  hereby  reserved  to  the  United  States  for  military  pur- 
poses, and  declared  to  be  tiie  military  reservation  of  the  post  of  Fort  Ellis,  Montana 
Territory: 

Beginning  at  the  quarter  post  on  the  east  line  of  section  eight,  township  two  south, 
of  range  six  east  of  the  principal  meridian,  Territory  of  Montana ;  thence  south  seven 
and  one-half  miles;  thence  east  four  miles;  thence  north  three  miles;  thence  west 
one  mile  ;  thence  north  three  and  three-quarter  miles  ;  thence  west  one  mile  ;  thence 
north  three  quarters  of  a  mile;  thence  west  two  miles  to  the  place  of  beginning,  em- 
bracing the  south  half  of  sections  nine  and  ten,  the  south  half  of  section  fourteen,  and 
the  south  half  of  the  north  half  of  section  fourteen,  the  whole  of  sections  fifteen,  sixteen, 
twenty-one,  twenty-two,  twenty-three,  twenty-six,  twenty -seven,  twenty-eight,  thirty- 
three,  thirty-four,  and  thirty-five,  in  township  numbered  two  south,  of  range  six  east 
of  the  principal  meridian,  Territory  of  Montana  ;  and  also  the  whole  of  sections  one, 
two,  three,  four,  nine,  ten,  eleven,  twelve,  •  thirteen,  fourteen,  fifteen,  and  sixteen,  in 
township  numbered  three  south,  of  range  six  east  of  the  principal  meridian,  Territory 
of  Montana. 

The  commanding  officer  of  Fort  Ellis  will  cause  to  be  erected  at  the  apex  of  each  of 
the  four  angles  of  the  northern  boundaries  of  the  above-described  reservation  a  square 
«ut  stone,  one  foot  on  the  edge  and  three  and  one-half  feet  in  length,  firmly  embedded 
eighteen  inches  in  the  ground.  On  the  inner  surface  of  each  stone  the  letters  "  U.  S." 
will  be  chiseled  or  cut ;  on  the  outer  face  of  each  stone  will  be  painted  the  words 
"  Military  Reservation."  The  apex  of  each  of  the  other  angles  of  the  reservation  will 
l)e  marked  by  a  large  mound  of  loose  stones. 

By  command  of  Major  General  Hancock  : 

O.  D.  GREENE, 
Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Official : 

R.  CHANDLER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


UNI 

AT 

LOS  ANGELES 
LIBRARY 


